Sabah held to scoreless draw by Negeri
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah held on for a scoreless draw against Negeri Sembilan to remain unbeaten in their last five Premier League fixtures.
The point shared at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi ensured the Tambadaus retained second placing in the 11-team league on 11 points from their opening six games.
“It was an evenly contested match...I think it was a fair result for both teams,” head coach Jelius Ating said shortly after the match.
“Although we returned with only one point from Negeri Semibilan, I’m still satisfied with the end results because it was definitely not an easy game.
“Negeri showed they were no pushovers by playing well and making it hard for us on the night.
“That is why the (Sabah) players deserved the praises for their performance. They work extremely hard and made efforts to both defend as well as to find the goal until the final whistle.
“All in all and with the chances created, it was a game that could have gone either way...for me the (0-0) result was fair for both teams,” added Jelius.
In the match, Sabah had numerous chances through Rodoljub Paunovic, Luka Milunovic, Luiz Carlos Junior and Maxsius Musa but went beggings.
Despite the outcome which saw them miss the chance to go top at least for 24 hours, the Tambadaus did return home with some positives.
For the first time in six games, Sabah managed to keep a clean sheet although it was also the first time they have failed to score.
More importantly though, to go five games unbeaten with three wins and two draws since the opening day of the league, which saw them lost to JDT II here, is what matters.
It allowed Sabah to remain second regardless of the result between JDT II and Terengganu FC II last night as the league will take a three weeks break after that.
It was just what Jelius had hoped for - to get as many points and be among the top teams - as he believed the break allowed teams to settle down and be better prepared thus making the league tougher when it resumes.
“We will be ready,” assured Jelius.
Meanwhile, other results saw Penang edge Selangor United 21, PDRM lost to UKM FC 0-1 and UiTM FC and Kelantan playing to a 3-3 draw.
Sabah will return to action when they take on Penang at the Likas Stadium on March 30.