RHINOS WIN IT FOR AZIZZAN

Midfielder becomes a father, and teammates make it a memorable day

SABAH turned defeat into victory over Perak in a Super League match on Sunday following a rousing half-time pep talk by their coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto (pic) at Likas Stadium.

Kurniawan said when Sabah were down 1-0 in the first half from a goal by Perak’s Nazirul Naim Che Hashim, he told the Sabah players about the family spirit of the team.

And Sabah rallied back for a 2-1 win as a present for their midfielder Azizzan Nordin who just became the father of a baby girl.

The Rhinos charged back with goals from veteran Amri Yahyah in the 65th minute and Gabonese Levy Madinda in the 79th minute.

“In the dressing room, I told the players that the team are like a family, and we fight as one.

“I told the players Azzizan has just become a father, and that they should go back to the field and give him something great to remember. And we won.

“I am grateful for the three points, I thank all the players.

“In the first half, we had plenty of chances but our mistake was conceding one goal.

“What’s important is how our players stayed focused. Although we were behind, we fought back to score two goals in the second half.”

Perak coach Chong Yee Fatt skipped the postmatch press conference following their second straight loss.

Meanwhile Selangor coach Karsten Neitzel said he was a bit proud of the Red Giants after they came from behind to beat PJ City 2-1 at MBPJ Stadium.

“During half time, we changed formation and our subs performed.”

The Red Giants have collected 18 points from 11 games but Neitzel believes Selangor should have done better. “We should have three to five points more.”

PJ City had shocked Selangor by taking the lead in the 25th minute through V. Ruventhiran.

But the Nigerian-born Ifedayo Omosuyi saved Selangor with two late goals in the 89th and 94th minutes.

Although they lost, PJ City coach P. Maniam said he was still pleased with the progress made by his all-local team in their last 11 games.

FIXTURES TODAY

SUPER LEAGUE

KEDAH v JDT

(Darulaman Stadium)

KL CITY v PENANG

(KLFA Stadium)

TERENGGANU v UITM

(Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium)

TOMORROW SUPER LEAGUE

SABAH v MELAKA UNITED

(Likas Stadium, 9.15pm)

SRI PAHANG v SELANGOR (Darulmakmur Stadium)

PJ CITY v PERAK

(MBPJ Stadium)

*All matches at 10pm, unless stated