KOTA KINABALU: Sabah finally notched their first win of the New Year – a victory that puts them back on the right track in challenging for promotion.
The 2-1 win over KL Plus on Friday also eventually put their poor run to a halt having secured a mere two points from their previous four outings.
The Rhinos can now take a sigh of relief at least until their next game – at home to Selangor PKNS on Jan 25 at the Tawau Sports Complex.
After the PKNS tie, the Rhinos would also play their next two fixtures at home – against Felda United FC (Jan 28) and Melaka (Feb 1).
A well taken free-kick from Wong Sai Kong and a superb strike from Bobby Gonzales, the in-form striker’s fourth of the season secured the full three points for the Rhinos.
Team manager Rahman Zakaria was delighted to see the team’s return to winning ways.
Rahman said it was a good victory adding that to get the maximum points was as important as putting back the confidence into the players.
“It was not an easy game but the players showed that they take pride in wearing the State jersey and this is the spirit that we want in the team,” Rahman said.
“It was hard on everyone that we were winless in the last four matches but the players know that the war is not over yet.
“They went into the game wanting to win and in the end it was exactly the result that they achieved.
“It was a superb goal from Bobby and he seems to have regained his form. On the other hand, Wan (Irwan) was in his element making some crucial saves as well.
“I’m happy with the overall performance of all the players … they deserve credit for the way they fought against KL Plus FC,” Rahman added.
“There are still some minor things that need to be rectified and I believe the chief coach (Drago Mamic) has taken note of this,” he said.
Sabah, after raking in eight goals en-route to back-to-back victories in their opening two games, endured a miserable run as they drew twice before ending on losing notes in their subsequent two matches.
A third defeat was on the cards as KL Plus FC created at least six scoring chances in the first half, but Sabah’s young goalkeeper Irwan Jamil was in top form to deny the homesters.
But Sai Kong quickly banished the thought of another disappointment as the local import from Negeri Sembilan scored from a 25m free-kick beating KL Plus FC’s goalie Mohd Amirol Jaihan, before Bobby netted the second goal. Import player Alex Agbo scored the solitary goal for KL Plus FC six minutes from time.
The victory saw Sabah moving up to fifth placing on 11 points from seven matches, eight points behind league leaders Johor Pasir Gudang on 19 points.
