Sabah edge Perak 1-0 to reach MFL Challenge Cup final

KOTA KINABALU (March 12): Sabah FC have secured their place in the MFL Challenge Cup final after edging Perak FA 1–0 on aggregate in the semifinal on Tuesday.

Brazilian defender Gabriel Peres scored the decisive goal in the second leg at Likas Stadium, sending the Rhinos into the title showdown against Penang FC, who beat Kelantan TRW 6-2 on aggregate in the other semifinal.

Sabah head coach Juan Torres Garrido hailed the players’ efforts, which he said was made tougher due to tight schedules and travelling in the lead up to the match.

“We expected it to be difficult maybe because I think we ran out of energy in the second half probably due to playing so many games in a short period of time.

“However, one of the objectives in the game was not to concede goals. We were struggling to score but at least we did not concede … one goal and it was enough to go through,” Garrido told reporters after the game.

Both teams entered the match level after a goalless draw in the first leg in Manjung, Perak on March 4.

Despite fielding a youthful squad, the amateur A1 League side Perak gave their more fancied hosts a tough contest.

Rhinos’ goalkeeper Damien Lim needed to stay sharp to block a low shot from Muhd Amirul Akmar early on as Perak started positively.

Darren Lok had Sabah’s first attempt on target after 16 minutes before Peres’ vital contribution seven minutes later.

Peres, who has been hampered by injury all season, rose the highest to head the ball home from Jafri Firdaus Chee’s precise free kick for the opening goal.

Perak tried to fight back especially in the second half, but veteran Wan Zack Haikal saw his effort bounce off the crossbar while Lim was outstanding in between the posts for Sabah with some smart saves.

“Perak really played a good game just like in the first leg and also against KL City FC (before losing 2-3 on aggregate in the Malaysia Cup second round).

“I think they are a good team. Very mature, active and well-trained … they are a very good opponent.

“I don’t think it was because the tactics that we won. Maybe we have more experienced players, we managed the game the way we are convenient at, to try scoring and be consistent because we know we don’t have the energy because so many games played and so many trips in the last week,” Garrido added.

The final of the MFL Challenge Cup will be played over two legs with Sabah travelling to Penang for the first leg tie on April 4.

“We’ll still have one month to prepare so I really expect a different game and a different scenario,” Garrido said of the title match, in which Sabah have the edge having already beaten Penang 3-2 in a Super League fixture this season.

Team manager Muhd Arziz Afizy Rumsani echoed the head coach’s view, adding that the Rhinos strive to continue improving ahead of the final.

“Like I’ve said previously, we will use the competition (MFL Challenge Cup) to improve where the target was to get to the final. We have done that and God willing, we will do our best to win the cup,” he said.

“There is still a lot of work to do but we will have several league matches to play prior to the final so we will utilise them to make the team formidable.”

Unlike in the league where Sabah are struggling just above the relegation zone in 10th place, their cup form has been far more encouraging.

Prior to reaching the MFL Challenge Cup final, the Rhinos’ other final appearance in the current campaign came in the FA Cup where they finished runners-up to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in December.

The MFL Challenge Cup is a second-tier football tournament, contested by teams who were eliminated in the second round of the Malaysia Cup – the country’s oldest and most prestigious football competition.

Sabah will return to league action on Saturday (March 14) where the Rhinos will host Imigresen FC at Likas Stadium.