Sukma: Sabah women’s team book place in semifinal after trouncing S’wak 3-0

KUCHING (Aug 18): Sabah booked their place in the women’s football semifinal after beating 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) host Sarawak 3-0 at the State Stadium here on Sunday.

Fleyvianiezie Ishak scored a brace while Azzlyeanieh Kinuli netted the other goal as Sabah finished Group A on four points.

Sabah had opened with a 1-1 draw against Pahang on August 14.

Head coach Petronella Douny said overall, she was happy with the players’ performance but there is room for improvement.

“We created many chances and it could have been six or seven goals for us but in the end, we managed to score three.

“Despite that, we won the game and into the semifinal…that is the most important thing,” she said.

Meanwhile, the state women squad faced a nervy wait for decision from the competition secretariat on the group final standing.

Sabah and Pahang are through to the last four but their identical statistics (points, goal scored and goal difference) means the final standing could be decided through yellow card accumulated up by each team in the two group matches.

“We are still waiting but regardless of the decision, we will be ready for the semifinal match either against Selangor or the Federal Territory,” she added.

The semifinal matches will be played on August 20.

Youth and Sports Minister of Malaysia Hannah Yeoh was among those in attendace to watch the ‘Borneo’ derby.

The state Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin and Assistant Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan as well as Sabah Sukma chef de mission Datuk Mansur Asun were also present.