A lesson in football for Sabah

sports247.my

Sabah’s new foreign signing Abdulfatah Safi (left) could not inspired Sabah, who lost 5-1 to Sime Darby at Likas Stadium today.

SABAH were given a lesson in football as Karlo Primorac, who scored four goals, led Sime Darby to a 5-1 victory at the Likas Stadium today. The Croatian striker grabbed a first half hattrick and added his fourth in injury time. Primorac was heavily involved which led to Razid Gapar’s own goal. A couple of minutes after Alto Linus had scored a consolation goal for the home side.

 The teams went into the game buoyed by their fine run of unbeaten games. Sabah won six while Premier League leaders Sime Darby won 13 being unbeaten since the start of the season. Sabah gave their new signing Abdulfatah Safi his debut but he was upstaged by playmaker Primorac. The 29-year-old Primorac put Sime Darby in front after 20 minutes and doubled the lead eight minutes later, firing past goalkeeper Shahril Sa’ari from inside the box.

 Primorac completed his hattrick when he easily slotted home after the defence failed to track his movement inside the box. Mohd Arif Ismail and Primorac then hit the frame in 53rd and 65th minutes before Sabah replied through Alto’s close range finish with five minutes remaining. Sime Darby were not done as Primorac shot against the post just two minutes later and Razid was unfortunate as his attempted clearance from the rebound went straight into his own net.

 There was still time for Primorac to get his fourth and the team’s fifth in injury time with a confident strike end Sabah’s six-game unbeaten run. Sime Darby top the standings on 36 points from 11 wins and three draws while Sabah are in mid-table on 18 points from five wins, three draws and six defeats.