Still on track despite draw – Jelius
Head coach Jelius A ng said Sabah remained on track in their Premier League campaign despite being held 1-1 by Sarawak on Saturday.
KOTA KINABALU: Head coach Jelius Ating said Sabah remained on track in their Premier League campaign despite being held 1-1 by Sarawak here on Saturday.
The stalemate at the Likas Stadium ensured Sabah are unbeaten in their opening four matches, collecting eight points from two wins and as many draws.
The Rhinos also retained their second placing in the 12-team table trailing leaders Felda United FC by a single point but with a game in hand for the latter.
However, it could have turned out differently for Sabah had they took their chances well in the Borneo derby.
Without pointing fingers at specific players, Jelius admitted he was disappointed by the team’s finishing on the night.
“We lacked sharpness up front today (Saturday) and I’m a little bit disappointed by that.
“Overall we had much more possession compared to Sarawak but the game is not about which teams play the better football.
“Playing good football does not win you games...scoring is and we were lacking in that area against Sarawak,” Jelius said when met after the match.
Sabah lined up in a 3-5-2 formation in the game and while they saw much of the ball in the middle of the park, they hardly threatened the Sarawak goal especially in the first half.
The Crocs’ hard-pressing game also unsettled Sabah in the opening period and it resulted in the first goal of the night.
Striker Mateo Roskam stabbed the ball home from close range after the Crocs gained possession close to Sabah goal after defender Mafry Balang hesitated in clearing the ball to safety.
A pep-talk during the half time break from Jelius resulted in a much improved performance for the Rhinos and it took them just nine minutes after the restart to equalise.
Puerto Rico forward Hector Ramos got in between the Sarawak centre-backs and placed his header past a stranded Mohamad Firdaus Mohammad.
It started relentless attacks on Sarawak’s goal by the home side but good goalkeeping by Firdaus and poor finishing denied Sabah from getting the crucial second.
The best chance came in the fourth minute of injury time when Sabah were awarded a penalty kick but South Korean forward Lee Gil Hoon blasted the ball against the crossbar.
“We had the chances (to win the game) but we did not take them, including the penalty kick,” Jelius said.
To sum up the game, he added: “I think luck played a part but at the same time, it is also down to the players.
“I can’t fault their efforts because they worked hard to get the equaliser but what I wanted to stress was that, they needed a little bit more of that (hard work).
“I don’t think Sarawak were better than us and they got the goal that started from our own mistake.
“But they (Sarawak) played a smart game where they crowded the referee whenever there was a foul and also time wasting.
“Football is not all about the tactics or formation...they tried to influence the referee and I hate to admit it but it is part of the game.
“I told the players at half time of what the opponents tried to do and they realised it. That resulted in a much better performance from us in the second half.
“However, we failed to get the second goal despite the chances created and we paid for it,” he said.
Having said that, Jelius revealed Sabah were still on the right track as they look to mount their league challenge.
“The target is to get the three points at home but I will take the one point tonight. The players worked so hard after trailing by a goal down.
“What’s important is that we did not lose all the points. We are still on the right track and all that we need is to be smart in our play, firm in making decision on the pitch as well as to work doubly hard,” Jelius stressed.
Sabah’s next league game will be against MISC-MIFA at the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council Stadium on March 12.
Prior to that, the Rhinos will take on Johor Darul Takzim in the one-legged FA Cup second round tie at the Likas Stadium here on March 3.