KOTA KINABALU: Sabah made an early exit from the FA Cup competition after bowing out to KL Sime Darby in the first round encounter at the MP Selayang Stadium yesterday.
The late afternoon match saw the State squad conceding defeat to the Premier League outfit after losing to two first half goals, including one from the spot.
Tags: FA Cup
KOTA KINABALU: It was the end of the road for Sabah in the FA Cup challenge, but their exit from the knockout competition may be good at least as far their quest for Super League promotion is concerned.
With limited resources as well as the crazy fixtures, at least now they can focus entirely on the Premier League challenge without any interference!
Had they overcome Kedah, Sabah could have faced fixture chaos as they would be forced to play three matches in the space of 10 days with the first two games played in four days.
KOTA KINABALU: Gary Phillips refuses to throw in the towel just yet, insisting that they are still in with a fighting chance to make the FA Cup second round.
The defiant Sabah coach and manager said nothing is over until they play the return leg tie on Saturday.
However, he is fully aware of the Herculean task that awaits them at the Darul Aman Stadium in Alor Star having to overcome the two-goal deficit.
“We are not dead and buried yet. We still have a lot to play for … anything can happen in football.
Tags: FA Cup, Gary Phillips, kedah
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah FA Cup challenge is hanging by a thread after conceding a 0-2 defeat to Kedah in the first round of the first leg encounter at the Likas Stadium last night.
It was defensive errors that led to Sabah’s downfall as Kedah capitalised to their full advantage scoring both the goals in each half.
RIGHT MOOD … (from left), Zainizam, Radzi Hussin, Rosdin and Reithauddin enjoy their light training at the Likas Stadium yesterday.
And he hopes his charges will respond well to the challenges ahead of them and go into the match that kicks off at 8:15pm tonight with a positive mindset.
But Gary refused to put additional pressure on his side, insisting that it will be just another football game.
“It is tough playing at home first because the pressure is on you. You can’t afford to concede and you have to score goals, knowing that you have to play away on Saturday.