Junior Rhinos claim their irst victory
Sabah defeated Negeri Sembilan 1-0 to claim their irst victory in the President Cup league yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah defeated Negeri Sembilan 1-0 to claim their first victory in the President Cup league yesterday.
Rahman Shah Majareh scored the the only goal at the Likas Stadium to enable the Junior Rhinos to halt their six-match winless run.
Sabah too had Endre S. Tipay to thank for after the goalkeeper’s two crucial stops in injury time to cement victory.
“It was an evenly contested tie and it proved with the only goal of the game.
“There is room for improvement in terms of performance but the most important thing today was the three points.
“We are badly in need of a victory to get back on track in the league campaign,” said a relief Matasan Ahmad, who is one of the team officials.
Sabah started the match aided by three senior team players in Md Badril Affendy, Taufiq Haq and Endre but overall the team were guilty of failing to create enough chances.
Negeri Sembilan, on the other hand, had enough scoring oppoetunities throughout but Endre’s form coupled with poor finishing let them down.
The goal finally came in the 68th minute via Rahman-led counter attack.
The striker picked up the ball on the half way line before releasing Md Azwan Fattah on the left but his shot was blocked by a defender.
The ball fortunately bounced nicely to Azwan to set up Rahman inside the box and the latter struck home to beat Ezad Arif Jamaluddin at full strecth.
Negeri Sembilan missed a glorious chance to level the tie right after the restart when Muhd Iqbal Naim’s rising shot rattled the crossbar.
Hafizan Jahar thought he had made it safe by heading home late on but was ruled offside by the referee.
The visiting team pushed forward in the eight-minute injury time but Sabah held on with Endre making two point-blank saves.
Sabah, who have six points from seven matches having also drawn and lost three times each, will be away to Selangor PKNS FC April 1.