Hiccup at home too hard for Rhinos to take


PETALING JAYA: Sabah coach Jean-Paul De Marigny wasn’t too pleased with his side getting their third draw in a row in the Super League on Friday.

The Rhinos were held to a 1-1 draw at the Likas Stadium against Melaka, and Marigny was not satisfied with just one point in their third league match.

“We can’t be satisfied with getting just one point,” said Marigny

“The main objective is to get three points. It’s also to play the way we want to play, being brave with the ball, and staying organised with or without the ball.

“In that regard, I think there’s a lot of progress, and once we get that synergy going with all the players, we will be a better team.”

After an actionless first half, Sabah got ahead when Bosnian forward Ajdin Mujagic scored in the 61st minute.

Visitors Melaka made sure not to leave empty-handed as Irfan Zakaria equalised in the 85th minute.

It was also Melaka’s third straight draw in the league.

Marigny, who joined the team earlier this month, added that the team lacked speed when it came to getting the ball.

“We could have been a bit more aggressive in the first 20 minutes of the match; we were too passive.

“Our opponents were winning the majority of the loose balls, and that’s why it felt as if they had taken control of the match.

“But after we understood our defensive structure, we managed to keep them on one side and started to dominate the game.

“There were good chances in the second half, but we just need to be more ruthless in those moments as goals can change games,” he said.

Sabah’s next fixture will see them take on Bunga Raya in the FA Cup round of 16 second leg. Sabah had won the first leg 6-0 two weeks ago.

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Football , Sabah , Melaka , Super League

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