Rhinos run riot

Sarawak stunned by Sabah in their own backyard

By James Wong

KUCHING: Premier League champion Sabah built up a healthy cushion for second leg at home when they hit two quick first-half goal for a 2-0 victory over Sarawak in the first leg of the Malaysia Cup semi-final at the State Stadium here last night.

Golden Boot winner Scott Ollerenshaw and Mohamed Jaya Kassim punished two Sarawak defensive errors within a space of seven minutes to significantly enhanced league champions Sabah's chances of playing in the first ever final and achieving a double as well.

For all their attacks, Sarawak was unable to break down Sabah's dependable national keeper Khairul Azman Mohamad.

The two goals in the first 20 minutes quickly subdued the electricfying atmosphere generated by the capacity 25,000 fans who had been milling at the stadium since morning.

Although the host started the game strongly, a rare miskick error by captain David Evans gifted Ollerenshaw with the opening goal in the 12th minute.

Evans attempted clearance turned into a backpass which was snapped up by the Australian striker to slot under the rushing keeper Mazlan Wahed.

In their haste to pile their men forward, Sarawak conceded their second goal seven minutes later after a fast attacked initiated by Sabah's commanding midfielder Yap Wai Loon.

Mohamed Jaya received the ball at the edge of the box and beat Zaidil Sakup before shooting home.

Sarawak continued to pack their attacks seeking the elusive goal but was unable to break through the tight Sabah wall marshalled by Bosnian Veselin Kovacevic.

The story extended into the second half as Sarawak preferred to take the risk of conceding more goals to the fast Sabah attackers.

Substitute Ramos Sari nearly gave Sarawak a lifeline seconds after coming on in the 57th minute, stabbing a close range shot which Sabah goalie Khairul parried into the post and to safety.

Tempers became flared as Ramos collected his second yellow card after a tackle on Abdullah Adi. Ollerenshaw and Bobby Chua tried to join in the fracas but was restrained by their coach Ronald Smith and other teammates.

Sarawak coach Alan Vest removed his two best strikers - Shamsurin Abdul Rahman and Affendi Julaihi - for Ramles Sari and Bobby Pian but nothing went right for the homesters.

Sarawak: Mazlan Wahid, David Evans, Dhalan Matussin (Ramos Sari), Mohd Zaidil Sakup, Ahmad Fairuz Yunus, Ibrahim Mentali, Mohd Ali Shafiee, Nazri Yunus, Zapri Manai, Affendi Julaihi (Bobby Pian), Shamsurin Abdul Rahman (Ramles Sari).

Sabah: Khairul Azman Mohamad, Veselin Kovacevic, Dunian Sulog (Harun Laban), Burhan Ajui, Gapor Mohamad, Jelius Ating, Abdullah Adi (Richard Ribu), Yap Wai Loon, Mohd Jaya Kassim (Jekerison Kilan), Bobby Chua, Scott Ollerenshaw.