New Sabah Times
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| OFF TARGET ... Sabah skipper Md Reithuddin Ag Emran heads the ball towards the Johor FC goalmouth during their Super League tie at the Likas Stadium last night. |
KOTA KINABALU: Shahrudin Yakup came off the bench to help his side Sabah resume their Super League challenge with a 2-1 over Johor FC at the Likas Stadium last night.
The Labuan-born flanker, who just came back from national duty, finished off an earlier attempt from Md Rozaimi Abd Rahman, by slamming in the winner from inside the six-yard box nine minutes from regulation time.
But it was the visiting Johor FC who drew first blood through Arthuro Hendrique’s 28th minute header, who connected a Mohd Riduwan Maon’s cross from the right side of the Sabah goalmouth.
However, it took Sabah two minutes to score the leveller through Md Rozaimi Abd Rahman’s half volley from inside the box.
It started from Zainizam Marjan, who lobbed the ball before it found Leopold Alfonso Otong, but he failed to connect, but fortunately the ball fell for Rozaimi, who blasted home the equaliser.
Earlier on, Arthuro saw his thunderous effort from about 35 metres hit the crossbar, while Sabah’s Alto Linus’ attempt from 30 metres was palmed away for a fruitless corner by former Sabah custodian Mohd Anis Faron.
In the 36th minute, Arturo then saw his freekick from inside the D-box hitting the crossbar for the second time.
There were not many anxious moments in the remaining 45 minutes as both sides failed to create any decent chances at each other’s goalmouths apart from the Shahrudin’s winner.
With the three points, it helped Sabah move up the ladder in the 14 team standings.
Sabah take on Terengganu away in their next tie on March 17.
