 |
| Zul Mansshah Aling (red) coolly slots home the second goal, defeating the hapless (on the ground) Mursyidin for the second time as Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School’s, skipper Mohd Farsi only manages to look on |
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah showed their intent of aiming for glory yet again by notching a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Johor-based Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School in a President’s Cup Group A tie at the Likas Stadium yesterday – thanks to two-goal hero substitute Zul Mansshah Aling.
The win saw them extend their unbeaten run to nine matches, and the only side to have remained unbeaten in the group.
It was also their fifth win out of five home matches they have played thus far this season.
They also won twice away from home while the other two matches ended in draws.
Yesterday, it was a tough game for Sabah, as the gritty visitors refused to give in.
In fact they had the better chances in the opening 45 minutes, but were denied by the steady Sabah custodian Endre S. Tipay, who as usual was composed throughout.
Midfielder Shahwan could have put his side into the lead at the half-hour mark when he was given space inside the Sabah penalty box.
But fortunately for Sabah Endre was there to palm the ball away for a fruitless corner.
Then in the 34th minute, Endre was there again to palm away a 30-meter free kick taken by Muhd Raphi. For the record, Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School, formerly known as Bandar Penawar Sports School, is in fact the national Under-16 side coached by former international Hj Khalid Shahdan.
After a scoreless first half, Sabah resumed the second half more promisingly, and they finally found the much needed lead through Zul Mansshah, who came in for the ineffective Umareng Bacok, scored in the 24th and 60th minutes.
Against the run of play, Zul Mansshah found himself facing Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School custodian Mursyidin in a one-on-one situation after being put through, and he did well by slotting home a grounder that defeated the hapless Mursyidin.
Nine minutes later, he scored the second after capitalising on a blunder by Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School skipper Mohd Farsi Shah.
Zul Mansshah cleverly intercepted the ball from the feet of Mohd Farsi before unleashing a pile-driver from an acute angle that defeated Mursyidin for the second time.
“I’m happy with the victory. I’m also pleased with all the players for their spirited display. It was a very tough game.
“They (Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School) are a very good side. When you look at how they play, they are a very organised side and they never made it easy for us. Fortunately, we managed to capitalise on their errors that saw us score two goals,” said team manager Juil Nuatim when met shortly after the match.
Head coach Johnny Dominicus also admitted that it was a tough game.
“When you compare both teams, fitness wise, we are the same, but we have to admit that they are better technically. Obviously, they are from a sports school, and they are taught all the basics.
“But I’m still proud of our players, their desire to win was greater than Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School boys,” said Johnny.
Sabah remain at the top of the 13-team standings accumulating a total of 23 points from seven wins and two draws.
They take on bottom-of-the-table Penang SDM in their next tie away on March 12.
