By: GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tambadaus ended their first round campaign in the Premier League with a winning note after a convincing 3-1 victory over UKM FC at Likas Stadium, Saturday. Sabah players, who received an ultimatum from Sabah Football Association Acting President, Datuk Peter Anthony, earlier this week following their recent poor forms, started the match in attacking mood and had first shot at goal from Rodoljub Paunovic inside the opening minute that was saved by Khatul Annuar Jalil on the line.
They had another chance when Korean import Park Taesu saw his header missed the crossbar by inches before Alto Linus’s opener in the 20th minute. Alto, who played on the left flank, started the move when he laid the ball for Rodoljub before running into the box to head in the cross from the Serbian who did a good job by beating two UKM players before making the decisive cross. With their dominance in the opening half, the home players seemed to lose focus in the latter stage that allowed UKM to snatch the equaliser in the 42nd minute.
Hafizi Amiruddin took advantage of a loose ball which the Sabah players failed to clear to shoot past the unsighted Rozaimie Rohim at the bottom corner. It was a blow to Sabah but they got a lucky break within three minutes after Khatul made a blunder, allowing a harmless ball bounced over his head and into the net. It started seconds earlier with a free kick taken by Luiz Carlos Junior that hit the defensive wall, and the ball fell to Dendy at the halfway line who then delivered a long cross into the box that Khatul completely misjudged.
Sabah continued their superiority at the start of the second half and created numerous chances but was unable to finish until Rodoljub’s strike in the 60th minute. The Serbian who had a good game, hit a first timer just outside the box to beat Khatul for the third goal of the night. Despite failing further behind, the visitors did not give up and continued their counter attacks but they were unable to beat Rozamie who made a number of excellent saves.
Sabah, on the other hand also, wasted several goal-scoring opportunities to extend the lead with some woeful finishing and the score remained 3-1 until the final whistle. The win confirmed Sabah will end the opening round in the top three spot with 18 points. They are three points behind JDT II who had a match in hand and four ahead of UiTM who played two matches less with Selangor in fourth place with 14 points and a match in hand. Sabah will resume the second round ties against Selangor United at home on May 4.
