Rhinos down K’tan to clinch semifinal
Sabah edged past 10-man Kelantan on the away goal rule to book their place in the semifinals of the Malaysia Cup.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah edged past 10-man Kelantan on the away goal rule to book their place in the semifinals of the Malaysia Cup.
Rodoljub Paunovic scored the only goal in the quarter-final second leg at the Likas Stadium last night to clinch the 1-0 victory for the aggregate 2-2.
It was enough to put Sabah in the last four of the country’s most prestigious football competition for the first time in 11 years.
Team manager Datuk Juil Nuatim was a happy, if not relieved, man at the final whistle following Kelantan’s late fightback.
“We are very happy by making the Malaysia Cup semifinal...it’s been a long time since we’ve gone this far in the tournament.
“The players were superb tonight and so were the fans...we are very thankful with the strong support. We will do our best in the semifinals,” he said after the game.
Trailing 1-2 from the first leg in Kota Bharu, Sabah nearly went further behind on the third minute when Mohd Khairul Rizam Che Soh found himself unmarked inside the box following a through ball.
However, Sabah goalkeeper Rozamie Rohim was alert to close down the angle and saved from Khairul’s low shot.
The near miss sparked an exciting and entertaining first half where Sabah’s defensive discipline halted an energetic display from Kelantan.
The game was played at a fast pace but the team just failed to create any real chances until Maxsius Musa’s headed effort from a corner kick hit the hand of a Kelantan player.
Referee Fitri Maskon did not hesitate to point to the spot and Paunovic coolly struck low to the left to beat Kelantan goalkeeper Mohd Faridzuean Kamaruddin in the 30th minute.
The goal spurred on the Rhinos to push forward but they were not fortunate enough to add to their tally, especially in the second half.
Alto Linus and Hector Ramos both had chances and so did midfielder Mohd Azzizan Nordin, who charged down the left flank but his shot from a tight ankle was pushed away by Faridzuean.
Paunovic had a better chance from a counter-attack shortly after, but he missed the target with the goal at his mercy following a perfect pass from the lively Maxsius.
The night turned for the worse for Kelantan when striker Cristiano Marcolino Santos was sent off for rough play.
To Kelantan’s credit, they did not back down but continued to push for the equaliser, which they were nearly rewarded with late in the game.
Unfortunately for them, their attempt hit the frame of the goal.
It proved to be the last action of the night as the final whistle from Fitri sparked huge celebration among the Rhinos as well as the more than 20,000 crowd.