Tambadaus must go for win
Sabah Tambadaus are clinging on for dear life in the relegation zone while Johor Marul Ta’zim (JMT) remain at the top of the table in the Malaysian Super League after Friday’s match.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tambadaus are clinging on for dear life in the relegation zone while Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) remain at the top of the table in the Malaysian Super League after Friday’s match.
The match at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor ended 41 with JDT securing full points to top the table, while Tambadaus remained in 10th position, with nine points, a position coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto would not like the team to be in with only one match to play.
JDT, on the other hand managed to collect 26 points after Friday's win, which now makes it impossible for any teams to catch up and thus confirming JDT to retain the Super League title.
Tambadaus coach, Kurniawan, clearly did not hide his frustration with the defeat, when contacted yesterday.
He stressed that they have to put their grieve aside but to remain focust on their last match against UiTM in Likas Stadium on October 10.
“We will study the videos, of the match against JDT, to see where are our weaknesses and try to work on it.
“We have to rectify our problem and weaknesses and hopefully be able to collect full point in next week's match at home to wrap up the season,” he said.
JDT open the scoreline for the home team through Diogo Luis Santo in the 38th minute.
Tambadaus who started the match with only three import players with Park Tae Su (defender), Petrus Shitembi (midfield) and Dennis Buschening (forward) looked more energetic with the introduction of fourth import player, Rodoljub Paunovic (forward) in the second half.
While they were busy trying to rip through JDT's defence that was being marshalled by Mauricio Santos and captain Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak, the Tambadaus were shocked when JDT managed to add a seccond goal through Safawi Rasid in the 56th minute.
Sabah continued to fight on and managed to close the gap in the 74th minute through a Dennis goal, but two goals within four-minutes through Safawi in the 81st minute and Leandro Velazquez in the 84th minute ended all hope for the former team.