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| SABAHAWKS JUNIOR … Zackkalani Antanom (red) beats KL Sime Darby’s Muhd Fitri Kamal during their President’s Cup Group A tie at the Likas Stadium yesterday. |
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahawks Juniors got back to winning ways after registering a hard fought 3-2 victory over KL Sime Darby in a President’s Cup Group A challenge at the Likas Stadium yesterday. It was not an easy afternoon for the host as the visiting KL Sime Darby showed their prowess before eventually conceding defeat at the death!
It was Umareng Bacok who turned hero for the Sabahawks Juniors by heading home the winner in injury time. Striker Zackkalani Antanom drew first blood for the host with a header in the 8th minute after connecting with a cross from Sabri Sahar.
But an own goal by Razid Gapar on the stroke of half time saw the match tied at one-all as both teams went into the first half break on level terms. And when the second half resumed the rain began to pour and it slightly affected the rhythm of the game, and it was the visitors who settled down first, before they stunned the host by taking the lead in the 69th minute when Abd Muiz Abd Talib easily defeated Sabahawks Juniors’ custodian Nikyus Saiddatul from inside the six-yard box.
The goal awoke the host, and they fought hard in finding the equaliser, but it was not until the 81st minute that they found the much-needed goal. It started from a freekick taken by Leopold Alfonso Otong, whose effort deflected off a defender, before Dendy Lowa slotted home the loose ball into the back of the net.
As the match headed for a two-all draw, Umareng leaped high to head the winner, connecting a cross from Jetko Romedius to eventually break KL Sime Darby’s hearts. “It was a tough game. They played really well. They made it difficult for us, so I’m really happy with the three points,” commented team manager Juil Nuatim when met shortly after the match.
“In the first half, we were not really in the game, but I’m still proud of the boys, especially with their fight-back. They never showed any sign of giving up. Although I think this was not our best game, but the way they fought their hearts out is something that deserves a pat on the back,” said Juil.
The three points gained saw Sabahawks Juniors accumulate a total of 45 points, level with Kedah, but they stay in second as Kedah have a superior goal difference. “There are another six games to go, and as long as we do our part (winning the remaining matches), our chances of moving back to the top of the table are always there,” Juil said.
For the record, that was their 14th win of the season after 18 games, with another three ending in draws and one defeat. They take on Johor Melodi Jaya away in their next fixture.
