Sabah just one point away from making Malaysia Cup quarter-finals

KUALA LUMPUR: No one gave Premier League side Sabah a ghost of a chance but they are just one point away from sealing a place in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup.

The East Malaysian team defied odds to beat three Super League sides to top Group D with 10 points from three wins and a draw.

Sabah drew 1-1 with FA Cup champions Pahang before edging Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) 1-0.

In the last two matches, Sabah edged former Malaysia Cup champions Selangor with an identical score of 2-1 twice.

Pahang are in second spot with eight points followed by PKNP with four points. Surprisingly, Selangor have yet to collect a point in four matches.

Sabah’s two remaining matches are against PKNP in Penang on Sunday before they wrap up their fixtures against Pahang on Sept 16 at home.

Sabah coach Jelius Tabias Ating said they did not expect to come this far as they started the campaign in the Malaysia Cup as underdogs.

“The Super League teams have more experienced players compared to us. We last

played in the Malaysia Cup in 2011,” said Jelius.

“We don’t have any star players in our squad but I’m proud with my players for putting up gallant performances to beat the other superior teams.”

He is quite pleased with his strike force led by two foreigners – Hector Ramos of Puerto Rico and Lee Gil- hoon of South Korea and the strength of his players in other departments.

“My players have the desire to win every match, I like that. We are on top of the table and just need a point from two remaining matches to seal a place in the quarter-finals,” said Jelius, who has been in charge of Sabah since last year.