Sabah eye first Malaysia Cup final in 22 years

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah hope to end a 22-year wait for a place in the Malaysia Cup final when they face Sri Pahang in the semi-final second leg at Temerloh Municipal Council Stadium on Sunday.

Sabah assistant head coach Alto Linus, whose team drew 1-1 with Pahang at Likas Stadium on Jan 18, said: "This is the moment we have all been waiting for, to fulfil the dream of Sabahans who want to see us in the Malaysia Cup final."

The last time the Rhinos reached the Malaysia Cup final was in 2003. However, they lost 3-0 to MPPJ FC at the National Stadium.

"It has been 22 years since Sabah last played on that stage. Sabah must perform better than we did in the first leg at Likas."

Alto said he is still confident that Sabah will prevail even without home advantage.

Meanwhile Selangor, who have won the Malaysia Cup a record 33 times, are reduced to playing in the lower-level Challenge Cup where they will meet Penang in the semi-final second leg at the MBPJ Stadium on Sunday. The Red Giants hold a slim advantage after securing a 1-0 win in the first leg at City Stadium on Jan 19.