Sabah Rhinos into FA Cup quarters

MATCH REPORT By FRANCIS XAVIER
Francis@newsabahtimes.com.my

GOAL-SCORER … Prince Tochukwu Nnake (left), during the FA Cup last 16 match against ATM at the Likas Stadium last night.

 KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Rhinos are through into the FA Cup quarter-finals after registering a narrow 2-1 win over ATM at the Likas Stadium last night. Striker Prince Tochukwu Nnake and flanker Maxsius Musa scored for Sabah Rhinos while Muhammad Faiz Ibrahim netted for the visitors.

 This was the Sabah Rhinos first time in eight years in making the quarter-finals. They won it for the first time in 1995. The victory gives the team a temporary respite following their poor Premier League run where they suffered defeats in their opening four games. They have to wait for about at least 12 hours to know who their opponents are in the quarters.

 The draw is expected to be conducted today in the national capital. Sabah Rhinos started the tie brightly when striker Nnake blasted home the opener in the 12th minute, but Muhammad Faiz levelled the score for the visitors with a powerful grounder in the 22nd minute.

 The first half ended one-all. When the second half resumed, Maxsius struck their second in the first minute of the half. And that was all from both sides as the scoreline remained until the final whistle.