Joy for Police as they close in on leaders UPB-MyTeam

 

JOHOR BARU: There was no change at the top in the 11-team Premier League after the completion of matches on Friday but it was heartbreak for leaders UPB-MyTeam at Kota Kinabalu's Likas Stadium and joy for second-placed Police at the Larkin Stadium here.  

MyTeam's eight-match unbeaten run was brought to an end by lowly Sabah as the Rhinos carved out a 3-1 win for only their second win in eight matches - a win which inched them into seventh place with 10 points. 

And once again it was Sabah's Nigerian hotshot Charles Obi who made things count when he struck a brace to take his personal tally to 13 goals. He scored in the 49th and 87th minutes after Chow Chee Weng had opened scoring for the homesters off a freekick in the 44th minute. Sabah's Prince Eboagwu Etuew scored an own goal in the 54th minute. 

“It was a fantastic win for us,” said Sabah manager Rahman Zakaria from Kota Kinabalu. “The players played to instructions and there were fewer mistakes. 

“MyTeam came with an impressive record and had an eight-match unbeaten run behind them. But we never let that stand in our way. We dominated the game and if not for the own goal our score line would have been more impressive.” 

Despite the defeat MyTeam remain perched at the top with 20 points after nine matches but Police have closed the gap with 19 points and they have a game in hand. 

Powered by their Kenyan imports John Wamalwa and Benard Sichangi Mwalala, Police showed character at Larkin as they came back not once but twice – from 0-2 and then 2-3 down – before snatching a thrilling 4-3 win which left the homesters stunned. 

And the man who made Johor pay dearly for their sloppy defending and poor goalkeeping by Shamsul Sabtu was striker Mwalala who was on fire in the second half with a hat-trick - including the winner in the 89th minute. 

His first two came in the 68th and 84th minutes while skipper B. Rajanikadhn put Police on the comeback trail with a delightful freekick in 52nd minute after Johor had gone 2-0 up with goals by new signing from Brazil Douglas Santos (38th) and Nigerian Aiyajuyoni Emola (46th). 

Police coach K. Thaiyanathan said his pep talk during the break was the turning point for his team. 

“We were creating the chances but the goals were not coming. I just told my players to keep pressing forward and the goals will come,” said Thaiyanathan.