KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Football Association (Safa) acting President Datuk Peter Anthony (pic) urged Sabah Tambadaus’ players to take advantage of their current good form when they take on Kelantan United FC in the second round of the Shopee FA Cup tie at the Stadium Sultan Mohammad IV, Kelantan tomorrow (Wednesday).
Sabah are top of the Premier League table standing at the moment with 14 points from four wins and two draws while their opponents are third in the lower division with six points from two win and a loss. “I am confident we can get past this second round match not because our opponents are from the third tier but our team are currently in very good form.
“The players must maintain their momentum for the match on Wednesday as we treat all the competitions in the Malaysia League equally important including the FA Cup,” he said on Monday. He added that coach Jelius Ating and his players are all well prepared and ready for the match. “I am sure playing away will not affect the players much. However, they should not underestimate their opponents and must try to play to their best for a win.”
Last season, Sabah failed to progress into the third round after they were beaten by JDT in the second round. Their best achievement was in 1995 when they won the Cup for the only time. They came second on three occasions with defeats to Johor (1998), Kuala Lumpur (1993,1994). Meanwhile, the State Under-19 squad lost their fifth match of the season with a 4-1 defeat to Perak at Parit Buntar Stadium on Sunday.
Poor finishing as in the previous matches again let the team down badly. They were in total control of the game but were unable to score even with the goalkeeper well beaten. Mohd Nazmizan Naslon was the only scorer for the team when he equalised after the home side had taken an early lead. The score was 1-1 at half time and defensive errors in the second half saw them concede three goals with two from set pieces and one was gifted by one of the players who tried to clear the ball but instead went straight to an unmark Perak player who slotted home from close range. The team’s next match is at home to Selangor on April 10 at Penampang Stadium.
