A Koh Traore-inspired Sabah beat an unlucky Johor FA side 3-2 in their Premier League meeting at the Likas Stadium today. Traore followed up his hattrick against Police last week by scoring twice while Sharul Azhar Ture got the other goal for Sabah. Johor, who had a goal disallowed and hit the goal post four times, replied through Mohd Rashid Aya and Mohd Izuan Irudin.
Sabah put up a much improved performance and it took them only two minutes to open the scoring with Traore directing a low cross from Sharuddin Yakup into the net. Mohd Izuan then saw his efforts come off the bar twice – in the 13th and 19th minutes – before Mohd Rashid equalised in the 21st minute with a header that took a deflection off Sumardi Hajalan and past goalkeeper Sharil Sa’ari.
Jasazrin Jamaluddin also hit the crossbar in the 32nd minute while Mohd Rashid saw his goal rightly ruled out for offside two minutes later. Johor goalkeeper Mohd Fazli Paat had to be alert to turn away a powerful 30m shot from Leopold Alfonso in the 38th minute, but he could do nothing with a similar effort a few seconds later.
Sharul sent a trademark long range strike that put Sabah 2-1 going into the breather. Both sides had equal chances to score in the second half, including Mohd Shoufiq who rattled the crossbar for an amazing fourth time in the match for Johor. Traore then settled the match, beating Mohd Fazli in a one-on-one situation in the 81st minute before Mohd Izuan scored a late goal to put make the scoreline respectable.
The victory was Sabah’s third of the season but the first in five outings. They have 10 points having also drawn once and lost five. Sabah will next take on Sarawak in a Borneo derby in Kuching on March 8.
