DISCIPLINE, TEAM SPIRIT KEYS TO SABAH FC'S SUCCESS - ONG

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Sabah FC head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee praised the exceptional discipline displayed by his players throughout the 90 minutes of their match against Penang FC last night, where Sang Badak triumphed in style with a commanding 4-0 victory.

He said that he emphasised that discipline was a priority from the outset, and this focus was well executed by each player, who displayed remarkable performance by denying the home team any opportunity to score.

“This is a commendable result; following our victory in Manjung, Perak, we’ve secured three more crucial points away from home. The most encouraging aspect is that we did not concede a goal,” he said.

“Even with a three-goal lead in the first half, the players maintained their discipline, ensuring the opposing team could not find the net,” he told reporters during a press conference after the match at City Stadium last night.

He further noted that the high fighting spirit and teamwork among the players were key factors in achieving such an outstanding result.

Meanwhile, Penang FC, playing without head coach Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli, suffered their third consecutive loss in front of their home supporters.

Assistant head coach Mat Saiful Mohamad, who led the team last night alongside technical director Merzagua Abderrazak as assistant team manager, expressed disappointment and acknowledged the difficulty of accepting three straight defeats, despite moments when they had opportunities to score.

“After switching from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 in the second half, we demonstrated dominance and created scoring chances. However, despite their best efforts, the players were unable to convert, which reflects our current quality. We have to accept it as it is,” he stated.

Mat Saiful also noted that the absence of key midfielders Rafael Vitor and Khairul Azrin, who have been pivotal to the team since the start of the season, significantly impacted their performance.

“This situation has made it challenging for us to compete in every match, and I hope that the Brazilian-born player will be available for our next match against Terengganu at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium. Only Rafael Vitor is expected to return for the next game, while Khairul Azrin may require more time due to the seriousness of his injuries,” he added.

-- BERNAMA