New Sabah Times
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah kicked off their Malaysian Super League campaign on the wrong footing after losing 0-2 to KL Felda United at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka yesterday.
It was certainly not the kind of start Sabah had wanted, especially with its two foreign signings – striker Michael William Baird and midfielder Brendan Gan, who made their Super League debut.
In fact, the luckless Sabah managed to put the ball into the KL Felda Utd FC net thrice, but unfortunately, two goals were disallowed for off side, while for the third, the match officials did not see the ball cross the line. And all three attempts were made by Brendan.
The opening 45 minutes was an equally contested tie with KL Felda Utd FC showing off their prowess by scoring two goals in the space of just four minutes through Mohd Raimi Mohd Nor and Yong Kuong Yong.
But it was Sabah that had the first opportunity when Bobby Gonzales found space in front of the KL Felda Utd FC goalmouth before unleashing a powerful drive.
It went straight into the KL Felda Utd FC keeper Mohd Hamsani Ahmad, who failed to make a clean catch. The ball rebounded and found Brendan, who slammed home from close range. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed, as he was ruled to have scored from an off side position.
Then in the 27th minute, KL Felda Utd FC drew first blood through Mohd Raimi Mohd Nor, who capitalised on a lapse of concentration at the Sabah backline.
At the half-hour mark, the Sabah defence was caught off guard again, and this time it was Yong Kuong Yong who put KL Felda Utd FC two goals up.
In the 66th minute, Sabah thought they had scored their first goal when Brendan Gan’s powerful shot hit the crossbar and bounced onto the ground and seemed to have crossed the line, but unfortunately, the match officials waved play on.
Late on, the introduction of Zainizam Marjan, who came in for Radzi Mohd Hussin, and Jufrey Omopor, replacing K. Thanaraj was not enough to help Sabah return with at least a point.
Next Sabah take on Sarawak in a Borneo Derby clash at the Likas Stadium on Saturday (8.15pm).
