Sabah top group standings with ATM win

Sabah Under-21 football squad notched a 1-0 victory over Armed Forces (ATM) in the President’s Cup match at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, yesterday.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Under-21 football squad notched a 1-0 victory over Armed Forces (ATM) in the President’s Cup match at the Likas Stadium here, yesterday.

The junior Rhinos bagged three points from their first home match of the season thanks to a solitary goal from Ariusdius Jais in injury time just before the break.

The referee awarded a penalty kick after an ATM player committed a handball inside the box and the Number 16 Ariusdius did not disappoint.

There were several good opportunities for Sabah to double the score in the second half but their opponents did well to fend off the attacks.

The result helped to strengthen Sabah’s position at the top of the 11-team Group A standings. They went into the match as group leaders on nine points from three wins in four of their previous matches.

For the record, Sabah started the season with four consecutive away games to Kedah, Pahang, MISC-MIFA and Perlis. Yesterday was the first match they played at home.

Their next match will be against mid-table Selangor United FC at the Likas Stadium on Thursday (March 15).

After that Sabah will face Melaka in an away game on April 2.

Sabah’s No. 16 Ariusdius Jais (gesturing in the centre) is embraced by team-mates after he put Sabah ahead with a well-taken penalty in the President’s Cup Group A match against Armed Forces. Sabah won 1-0. - Photo courtesy of Augustine Jumat