Sabah FC, a club from Malaysia, played the last match in this round, losing to PSM Makassar, a club from Indonesia, scoring 1-3 in the AFC Cup 2023/24 at Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu.
During the first 14 minutes of the first half, the Sabah players seemed to dominate the match with the action of the match concentrated in the opponent’s area until they were surprised by PSM Makassar’s first goal in the 15th minute as a result of Yakub Sayuri’s goal through a counter attack.
The opposing team added another goal in the 35th minute, also as a result of a counterattack through Everton Nascimento who only faced Dominic Tan in the Sabah defense.
It was unfortunate for Dominic when the ball hit his leg before it deflected towards the goal and failed to be saved by Khairul Fahmi Che Mat thus resulting in an own goal.
Moving into the second half, Sabah, who were depressed due to being behind 0-2, seemed to start playing more aggressively to find a goal and it worked when Telmo Castanheira’s header in the 72nd minute rattled the net.
Efforts by Kim Swee’s men to at least equalise failed when the visitors were awarded a penalty kick in injury time which Everton Nacismento converted.
However, results this match did not affect the position of Sabah FC as group champions and qualified for the semi-finals of the ASEAN Zone.
Credit Photo : AFC
