Rhinos down PKNP 2-0
Sabah are through to the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals a er securing an impressive 2-0 win against PKNP FC at the Penang State Stadium in Batu Kawan on Sunday.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah are through to the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals after securing an impressive 2-0 win against PKNP FC at the Penang State Stadium in Batu Kawan on Sunday.
Goals in each half from foreign strikers Rodoljub Paunovic and Hector Ramos cemented a victory that assured Sabah a top place finish in Group D, regardless of the outcome in their last game against Pahang.
The Rhinos have collected 13 points and will be joined by Pahang, who also benefit from PKNP’s defeat, in the knock-out rounds as the group runner-up.
For Sabah, it was a sweet return to the prestigious competition where they last contested in the last eight in 2011 after failing to qualify from 2012 to 2017.
“It was a great victory... we are extremely happy to have achieve our pre-tournament target.
“The players, the fans and Sabah truly deserved the place in the quarter-finals looking at our results in the group stages.
“I could not be more proud of all the hard work and efforts from the players. They overcame the rivals who are all Super League sides.
“We ended a six-year wait to be in the competition and now we are in the quarter-finals... I’m really happy for the players and also to our ever supportive fans nationwide.
“The head coach Jelius (Ating) and his assistant Burhan (Ajui) as well as fellow coaches and officials, they have all done a good job,” he said yesterday.
Having said that, Juil was quick to remind the Rhinos that the battle has not been won yet and the hard work must continue.
“The team may deserve a little celebration but we have not won anything yet.
“We must stay focused and continue to train harder because the competition will only get tougher after this,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rhinos will take on the runner-up in Group C in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup.
As it stands, MISC-MIFA lead Group C and Kedah second with both levelled on eight points but with inferior goals difference.
However, Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) and even basement side Kelantan are potential rivals as the third and fourth placed teams are still in with a chance on six points and five points, respectively.
MISC-MIFA will take on JDT and Kedah against Kelantan in the final Group C matches on September 15
As for Sabah, they will conclude their group fixture against Pahang at the Likas Stadium on September 16.