Cebagoo humiliated

New Sabah Times

EASY WIN … Cebagoo’s Sifihi Yusof (left) closes down PBAPP’s Zainuddin (right) during the FAM Cup tie at the UMS Stadium yesterday.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Cebagoo FC was humiliated at home turf after being thrashed 4-0 by PBAPP of Penang in a FAM Cup tie at the UMS Stadium yesterday. The hosts trailed 3-0 at half time and conceded another after the break. It could have been more if not for the missed chances by the visitors. There was not much Cebagoo could do, as their opponent proved to be more superior and dictated play right from the whistle.

 Their neat passing and smooth play just made life difficult for the host, who are now winless in seven games. Their last victory came last March 17, defeating lowly Perak YBU 2-0 in an away battle. Since then, the State’s sole representative in the competition, dubbed as the country’s third division league after the Super League and the Premier League, has been seen struggling after merely nicking three draws and succumbed to four defeats, including yesterday’s humiliation.

 Life without key players in the likes of Md Reithuddin Awg Emran and Billyton Vun Ket Ming, who both have Super League and Premier League experience, is like a misery for Cebagoo. The duo, believed to be at odds with club management, have been left out in the cold in their last few matches. Yesterday, humiliation apart, was an outing to be digested by Cebagoo, as they allowed the visitors to clinch victory rather easily.

 The Penang club side drew first blood as early as in the fifth minute from a spot kick. They were awarded a penalty kick after defender Faisal Aldin brought down the speedy Khalis Ibrahim inside the penalty box. Midfielder M. Prakash stepped up to take the spot kick, and easily defeating Cebagoo custodian Shairul Boidi.

 And Faisal was fortunate not to be given his second yellow when he committed a foul on Khalis for the second time inside the box. Match official Zulkarnain Zakaria pointed to the spot, but this time, Khairul Azri who took the responsibility, coolly converted PBAPP’s second in the 17 minutes.

 Khalis then put his name in the score sheet by slotting home PBAPP’s third during a melee in front of Cebagoo’s goalmouth from an ensuing corner. Late in the half, PBAPP could have added the fourth goal, but fortunately for Cebagoo, Amir Shahreen’s point-blank header from six yard out went wide.

 PBAPP FC returned for the second half trying to extend the tally and was rewarded when substitute Zai Hisham, who came on for Amir in the 62nd minute, scored from close range barely two minutes on the field. Soon after, Cebagoo was presented with a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit, but unfortunately, Mohd Nor Azuan Shah, who only had the keeper to beat, saw his weak attempt blocked by the keeper.

 In the 83rd minute, things went from bad to worse for Cebagoo when Mohd Nazmeer Stuh was shown a straight red card for foul on Prakash. Head coach Razali Zinin was left speechless when met after the game, expressing only his disappointment at the team’s poor performance.

 The former State footballer hoped the experience players Mohd Reithuddin Emran and Billyton Vun would return to add quality into the team. For the record, after 13 games, Cebagoo remained at 12 points having won three and drawn three while losing seven matches. Cebagoo will next face Pahang Kuantan FA away on May 19.