Sabah saw red in the first-leg Malaysia Cup quarter-final match against Kelantan at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Bahru on Saturday as the Red Warriors snatched a 2-1 win.
However, despite the numerical disadvantage, Sabah scored in the equalizer in the 43rd minute – an important away goal that could decide the tie in the return leg at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on Sept 29.
Kelantan took the lead through their Kyrgyzstan defender Baktyiar Duishobekov’s header off a corner kick by Nik Akif Syahiran in the 29th minute.
However, the gritty visitors took the fight to Kelantan but instead saw defender Randy Barun Samson taking an early shower when he was red carded for rough play.
It only made Sabah all the more determined despite playing a man less and it was 1-1 after 43 minutes with Hamran Peter heading home past Kelantan goalkeeper Faridzuean Kamaruddin.
Any hopes of at least sharing the spoils in Kota Bahru went up in smoke when Alto Linus fouled Imran Samso. Nik Akif made no mistake from the spot for a 2-1 win – drilling home an unstoppable shot past Sabah keeper Rozaimie Rohim. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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