Tambadaus edge Selangor United
KOTA KINABALU: Rodoljub Paunovic's early strike helped Sabah beat a gritty Selangor United side 1-0 in the Premier League clash at the Likas Stadium last night.
The victory, courtesy of the Sebian's sixth minute goal, propelled the Tambadaus to second in the league.
Sabah, who are chasing a Super League promotion, got off to a bright start and they could not have asked for a better start to the game.
Paunovic was at the right time and place to slot home from close range after a knock-down from Alto Linus following a Jenius Karib cross from the left.
Sabah missed the chance to double their tally just three minutes later when Park Tae Su headed against the post after a pin-point corner kick from Mohd Azzizan Nordin.
In the 13th minute, the impressive Alto dribbled his way past a couple of defenders before his cutback found the unmarked Luiz Carlos Junior.
The Brazilian forward, however, had his powerful shot from close range turned away by goalkeeper Muhamad Nuraizat Abdul Aziz.
Selangor United, on the other hand, got their first real chance in the 27th minute but Sabah custodian Rozaimie Rohim was alert to divert Mihd Fauzan Dzulkifli's free kick away from goal.
The chance seemed to spur on the visiting side and they nearly equalised shortly after when Nikita Olegivich Pavlenko's shot bounced off the post.
Nikita was again in the thick of action in the first dangerous of the second half but he shot straight at Rozaimie when he could have done better unmarked inside the box in the 54th minute.
Selangor United's growing confidence was a concern and head coach Jelius Ating sent on defender Mafry Balang for midfielder Ricco Nigel Milus to add steel to their defensive unit.
The move seemed to settle the nerves among the Tambadaus and more importantly it helped them to restore their shape to repel Selangor United's attacks late on.
Both teams have chances in the closing stage of the match but went begging.
With the victory, Sabah moved up to second on 21 points and trailed leaders Johor Darul Ta'azim II by three points.
Sabah's next game will be away to UKM FC on May 17.