MATCH REPORT By FRANCIS XAVIER Francis@newsabahtimes.com.my
KENINGAU: Luckless Sabah KDMM FC were denied victory in their historic debut in the FAM Cup challenge after being held to a scoreless draw by Perak PKNK FC in a Group B tie at the Keningau Stadium yesterday.
They created enough opportunities to take all the three points, but missed chances saw them settling for a point in an equally contested tie played in front of about 3,000 home fans.
Sabah KDMM FC’s first chance came in the 20th minute when they saw Muhammad Safar Mohamad’s freekick from the edge of the box hit the goalpost and go out of play with the PKNK FC goalkeeper Hairol Fazreen already beaten. However, that was the only chance of the half from both sides.
After the break, it was the visitors, who had the first shot at goal. It happened in the 53rd minute. But fortunately for the hosts, Muhd Shahrel Fikri, who only had Endre S. Tipay to beat, failed to take his chance as he saw his shot being blocked by the steady Endre.
At the hour mark, they were presented with the second opportunity, but this time it was Muhammad Amirul, who squandered his chance from the six-yard box.
It was from there that the hosts dictated play.
They created quite a number of opportunities with the best coming late in the game with Yazili Yunat and Ian James Wong seeing their chances going wide.
Benerly Raim also saw his freekick from 25 metres out being palmed away for a fruitless corner. Team manager Henry Sampion when met was quite happy with the draw, saying that it was quite a performance from his side.
“We only got our rhythm quite late in the game maybe because it was only our first game in the season. But overall, there is still room for improvement. We have identified quite a number of weaknesses and we hope to rectify it in the next few days before we play our next game away,” Henry said.
Sabah KDMM FC will take on UKM FC on March 6 away.
Meanwhile, Sabah’s other representatives in the competition, DYS FC did not have the best of start to their campaign as they lost to Sungai Ara FC on the road yesterday.
The hosts – Sungai Ara FC – were given a 3-0 walkover win after DYS FC failed to field enough players following problems with clearance from their previous clubs.
They played the first half with eight players and were trailing 2-0, but did not continue the second after two of their players got injured.
