PETALING JAYA: Playing their FA Cup semi-finals second leg match in front of an empty stadium isn’t the way Sabah would have wanted things to be, but it’s a different type of challenge the Rhinos must overcome.
Sharpening their horns: Sabah midfielder Stuart Wilkin— Sabah FC
Sabah have made the trip to the Petaling Jaya Stadium to take on Selangor today as they head into the match with a 2-2 aggregate, but their fans could not make the long trip across the sea.
This is due to Selangor being sanctioned by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Disciplinary Committee for fan misconduct and hosting failures, which sees the club ordered to pay RM100,000 and seve a two-match stadium ban.
As Selangor’s appeal was rejected by the FAM Appeal Committee, the match tomorrow against Sabah and their first home FA Cup game next season will have empty stands.
Despite the quiet atmosphere for today’s match, Sabah head coach Jean Paul de Marigny said the players have been ready to get going.
“The players have been preparing themselves well, and we’re looking forward to the challenges that we will face,” said Marigny.
“It’s a shame that the stadium will be empty for our fans.
“But at the same time, it’s a different kind of challenge that we will need to overcome and make sure we come out on top.”
Sabah’s only FA Cup victory came in 1995, and their last final appearance was in 1998.
Seventeen years since they made the finals, midfielder Stuart Wilkin said a win against Selangor would be a perfect gift to the fans who could not see them play today.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for us because this is a big match in a big competition.
“Added that Sabah haven’t been in the final for quite some years now, a win will be huge for the fans, players, and staff.
“So we are preparing our best to give it all, and hopefully we can get the result we want,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kuching have travelled to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium to face Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in their semi-finals second leg match today.
The Cats will need to dig deep in front of the Southern Tigers to come back from their 1-2 aggregate deficit.
