State women football squad held
Head coach Mohd Aiyyman Shah Johny Abdullah rued a host of missed chances as the State women football squad were held 1-1 by Malacca in the 31st Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: Head coach Mohd Aiyyman Shah Johny Abdullah rued a host of missed chances as the State women football squad were held 1-1 by Malacca in the 31st Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup yesterday.
The shared point however did little damage on Sabah women who are already assured of a semifinal berth following an 8-0 thrashing of Persatuan Bolasepak Melayu Malaysia (PBMM) on Saturday.
Hopes were high for Sabah women to continue their winning run as well as to move up the eight-team table as they faced Malacca who were top prior to the match yesterday.
However, poor finishing let the team down as only a Shereilynn Elly Pius’ 50th minute equaliser ensured they walked away with a point at the Mokhtar Dahari Football Academy in Gambang, Pahang. “We were in control for much of the game but let Malacca took the lead late in the first half.
“Our strikers were not consistent...we created many chances including in one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper on five occasions but the finishing were not up to mark,” Aiyyman said when contacted yesterday.
Following the conclusion of the sixth round of matches, Sabah remained third on 13 points from four wins, one draw and one defeat while Malacca dropped to second on 14 points from four wins and two draws.
Last year’s finalists Kedah were the huge winners following the Sabah-Malacca stalemate as they moved to the top on 16 points from five wins and one draw.
Penang occupy the last semifnal spot in fourth placing on 10 points (three wins, one draw and two losses).
Meanwhile, Sabah women will conclude the league fixtures against the Armed Forces (ATM) today.
Leaders Kedah are to take on Penang, Malacca against Negeri Sembilan and PDMM to meet Selangor.
“For the last round of league matches, I may make some changes to the squad and give some of substitutes some game time,” said Aiyyman.
For the record, only the top four teams will advance into the semifinals where the league winners will meet the fourth place team and the second place team to face off with the third place team for a place in the final.
“We will have to work extra harder in training and improve on our finishing for the semifinals,” added Aiyyman.
The semifinals will be played on December 8 and the final on December 9.