KUALA LUMPUR: A last-minute goal by substitute Mohamad Sahrizan Saidin has helped Sabah FC brighten their chances to reach the quarterfinals after recording a 2-1 victory over Kelantan FC in Group D of the Malaysia Cup yesterday.
The inaugural victory for Ong Kim Swee's squad has made the fight for a slot into the quarterfinals even more intense as they are now third in the group with five points, tied with Petaling Jaya City FC, who lost to defending champions Johor Darul Ta 'zim (JDT) in another match.
The action at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu saw a beautiful long-range goal by Kelantan defender Che Mohamad Safwan Hazman Che Hassan in the first half cancelled out through a penalty kick by veteran player Mohd Amri Yahyah, just a minute later.
Sabah upped the tempo in the second half, and picked up a deserved victory as midfielder Mohamad Sahrizan emerged hero when he grabbed the winning goal in the 90th minute.
Meanwhile, JDT continued dominating the group as they recorded their fifth consecutive win in the competition this season with a 2-1 victory over Petaling Jaya City at MBPJ Stadium.
A tough task awaits PJ City as they are scheduled to travel to the Likas Stadium to face Sabah in the final match to determine the team that qualify for the quarterfinals on Tuesday, while JDT will face the lowest-ranked team Kelantan FC, at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Baru.
Meanwhile, in Group C action, Kelantan United FC failed to take advantage of playing at home as they lost 3-1 to Kedah at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium.