TAWAU: Sabah continued with their fine start to the season by thrashing Premier League new boys Proton FC 4-1 at the Tawau Sports Complex last night. Chow Chee Weng scored twice for the homesters, while Bobby Gonzalez and Mohd Nafuzi Zain netted a goal each. Proton FC scored the consolation goal through Auguma Stanley Ogochujkwu late in the game.Despite playing without Englishman Jamie Phoenix due to injury, Sabah started aggressively and managed to take the lead when Chow nodded home the opener in the 29th minute.
Chow could have extended the lead soon afterwards but this time his shot went wide. However, striker Bobby Gonzales managed to help Sabah take a healthy lead at half-time by slotting home the second goal in the 40th minute.
After the break, Proton FC tried hard to make a comeback, but the Rhinos proved to be too hot to handle. In the 77th minute, Nafuzi add more salt to the already wounded Proton FC by scoring the third goal.
The former international midfielder easily slotted home from the spot after Azrul Ejati Damsah was brought down inside the penalty box. Three minutes later Chow scored his second to put the game beyond doubt before Auguma scored the consolation for Proton three minutes from regulation time.
The victory helped Sabah maintain their position at the top of the table with the maximum six points after two games. They demolished Armed Forces 4-0 in an away battle in the opener last week.
“It was another superb performance from the boys. We must congratulate them for a job well done,” a delighted team manager Rahman Zakaria commented when met after the game.
“So now it is important for the team to maintain the momentum,” he added. “On behalf of the team, I would also like to say a big thank you to the fans for supporting the team. I hope more fans will come in our coming matches,” said Rahman.
More than 5,000 fans turned up for the Rhinos’ first home match of the season.
