Winning start for Rhinos
Captain Rawilson Batuil scored a brace as Sabah Rhinos opened their Premier League campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Terengganu FC II at the Likas Stadium last night.
KOTA KINABALU: Captain Rawilson Batuil scored a brace as Sabah Rhinos opened their Premier League campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Terengganu FC II at the Likas Stadium here last night.
South Korean import Lee Gil Hoon gave Sabah a bright start with an early goal before Rawilson grabbed the headlines with two well-taken goals in the second half.
Newly signed Hector 'Pito' Ramos then grabbed the fourth on his league debut to cap a memorable night for the Rhinos in front of around 3,000 fans.
The new season was only four minutes old when Sabah opened their account through Gil Hoon's well-taken goal.
The South Korean forward picked up a short pass on the right, side-stepped a Terengganu defender before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot to the left top corner of the visitor's net.
It was just the start that the Rhinos wanted as it calmed their nerves to allow them to comfortably control the game with Gil Hoon and Maxsius Musa lively at the final third of the pitch.
However, Terengganu did come close through foreign striker Akanni Sunday Wasiu's effort while captain Mohammad Hasbullah Awang hit the side netting in the 23rd minute.
Sabah were unperturbed and Puerto Rico's international forward Pito was unfortunate just two minutes later when he failed to make contact with Sabri Sahar's cross despite having the goal at his mercy.
Pito then saw his 25-metre free kick sailed just over the bar as Sabah finished the half strongly.
The Rhinos returned with confidence in the second half but Terengganu had the first real chance when Wasiu had a crack at the goal but his shot flew over.
Sabah bounced back in style and scored in their very next attack in the 56th minute.
Captain Rawilson Batuil doubled the Rhinos lead when he stabbed home from close range after Sabri's corner kick caused a melee inside the visitors' sixyard box.
Sabah were firmly on the up as the match progressed but to Terengganu's credit, they refused to surrender.
Bruno Junichi Suzuki Castanheira embarked on a powerful run down the right before teeing off the ball to Muhammad Fakhrurazi Musa who let fly a low shot that alert Sabah custodian Robson Rendy Rining palmed away for a corner.
Sabah coach Jelius then sent newly acquired local import Elias Sulaiman for Maxsius to inject some much needed fresh legs in the later part of the game.
It was a smart move as Sabah went three-up in the 79th minute courtesy of Rawilson's second of the night.
The Rhinos captain was at the right place and time to slam the ball home after another of Sabri's inch-perfect delivery to cement victory.
There was still time for Sabah to add a fourth in injury time when Pito superbly controlled a long ball with his chest before sending a left-footed strike past goalkeeper Amierul Hakimi Awang.
Sabah will next face Felcra FC at the Shah Alam Stadium on February 6.
In other Premier League matches played last night, Sarawak edged Kuantan FA 1-0 while Felda United beat UKM FC 2-1.