UKM FC prolong Rhinos’ agony
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah were left disappointed at the Likas Stadium last night as UKM FC registered a well-deserved 3-1 win in their Premier League clash.
The defeat stretched the Rhinos’ winless run to seven games and, more importantly, dented their fight for Super League promotion.
Wan Mohammad Faiz Wan Sulaiman, Michael Chukwubunna Ijiezie and Sein Nam all scored for UKM while Hector Ramos got the consolation goal for Sabah.
The Rhinos remained on 15 points with three wins, six draws and four losses.
Sabah got off to the worst possible start when Wan Mohammad Faiz stabbed home for the opener after only 30 seconds from the kick off.
UKM captain Asnan Ahmad provided the assist after he easily skipped past Randy Baruh on the right before squaring the ball for the wellplaced Wan Mohammad Faiz inside the box.
The Rhinos remained unperturbed as they regained their composure to equalise in the 14th minute.
Ramos picked up a short pass from Maxsius Musa on the right flank before unleashing a thunderous shot that beat UKM goalkeeper Muhammad Nor Haziq Mohd Aris at his near post.
The match was in Sabah’s grip from then on, but the usually reliable back four were guilty of slack defending and nearly paid for it when Faiz Hanif Adnan’s headed effort bounced off the crossbar in the 31st minute.
The Rhinos were not so lucky two minutes later.
From a similar move, Ijiezie rose the highest to meet Redouane Zerzouri’s cross and his downward header beat the diving Robson to put UKM 2-1 ahead.
Sabah pushed their men forward late in the first half but Francis Kasonde, Ramos and Maxsius saw their efforts either saved or go wide off the mark.
The Rhinos returned for the second half with a more confident look, dominating the play and forcing the opponents to camp in their own half.
However, Sabah lacked creativity at the final third of the pitch to turn their dominance into goals.
Keisuke Ogawa had the Rhinos’ best chance but the Japanese midfielder shot wide after going on an unchallenged run down the right flank.
UKM nearly put the game beyond reach when Ijiezie was put through on goal but Robson was alert to dive low in a oneon-one situation.
Sabah went on all out attack in the five minutes of added time but left room behind for Sein Nam to capitalise with a third goal.
Sabah will next face UiTM FC away on June 7.