KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah ended their 10-year wait to reach the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals after edging PJ City 1-0 in their final Group D match at Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday.
With the win, Sabah finished second with eight points, three more than third-placed PJ City.
PJ City just needed a draw to advance to the quarter-finals but disaster struck in the 20th minute for the visitors.
The referee awarded Sabah a penalty when PJ City midfielder A. Salomon Raj brought down Park Tae Su inside the box.
Sabah captain Risto Mitrevski made no mistake from the spot.
PJ City huffed and puffed to chase the game, but Sabah managed to hold on to their lead until the final whistle.
In the other match, Group D champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) thrashed Kelantan 4-0 at Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru.
The Southern Tigers, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals, got their goals through Syafiq Ahmad (48th minute), Leandro Velasquez (60th), Guilherme De Paula (61st) and Shahrul Saad (90th).
At the Hang Jebat Stadium, Melaka beat Kedah 2-0 to top Group C.
The Mousedeer scored through Manuel Ott (24th) and Giovane Gomes (89th).
In the quarter-finals, Group C champions Melaka will take on Sabah, while Group D champions JDT play Kedah.
The first leg of the quarter-finals is scheduled on Nov 14 and the return leg on Nov 18.