Junior Rhinos dump JDT III 2-0
A cracking 2-0 victory over JDT III in the President’s Cup match at the Likas Stadium here yesterday helped to strengthen the Junior Rhinos’ place at the top as they ended their first round fixtures on a high note.
KOTA KINABALU: A cracking 2-0 victory over JDT III in the President’s Cup match at the Likas Stadium here yesterday helped to strengthen the Junior Rhinos’ place at the top as they ended their first round fixtures on a high note.
It was Sabah’s sixth consecutive win in the Group A challenge and victory from yesterday’s top-ofthe-table clash was even sweeter, especially for Stanley Sulong who netted twice to emerge as the hero.
Stanley had put Sabah in the lead after heading home a corner from Ariusdius Jais in the 43rd minute.
Another header after the break, also from Ariusdius but this time from the right, doubled Sabah’s lead on 52 minutes.
JDT III created a good chance in the 58th minute but keeper Mohd Sakri Masri read it well when Mohamad Thaqif Fikri Md Khalis tried to let one in from close range.
Sakri later made a crucial clearance but was injured in a one-on-one encounter in the 80th minute.
Substitute keeper Joslan Aping stepped in and Sabah was able to hold on by quickly shutting down any attempts on goal.
Intensity remained high until the dying seconds of the match when a player from the other team was shown a red card.
Meanwhile, team manager Mohd Yassin Aman congratulated the players for working hard and achieving their target for a good ending to this first round.
“We not only won this last fixture but it was our sixth consecutive victory, and against our closest rival as well.
“The players did their job well and today, they also put on a more mature performance. I hope this is a good sign for us to continue successfully in the second round,” Yassin said when met after the match.
Sabah concluded their first round fixtures with nine wins and one loss. They remain at the top of the 11-team standings on 27 points from 10 matches, while JDT III slipped to third as Kedah moved in on second (21 points) after a 2-0 win against Selangor United FC 2-0.
“Now we are six points clear of Kedah, who we will face in our opening match of the second round next Thursday. We will be ready.
“The second round will be more challenging but we have faced all the teams and we know a bit about their strengths and weaknesses. We must maintain our current form and be focused so that we can continue to win matches at home and away,” Yassin said.