KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Sabah FC lived up to expectations by cruising into the quarter-finals of the 2024/2025 Malaysia Cup when they eliminated PT Athletic on a 7-0 aggregate score after winning 3-0 in the round of 16 second leg match here tonight.
In the clash at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras, visiting side Sabah, who played without a head coach following the departure of Datuk Ong Kim Swee last Thursday, received stiff competition that saw the score tied without a goal in the first half.
However, the start of the second half saw Sabah breaking the deadlock after Abdul Latiff Suhaimi was adjudged to have brought down Muhammad Farhan Roslan inside the box through a Video Assist Referee (VAR), referral and striker Darren Lok stepped up to calmly complete the spot kick in the 67th minute.
Six minutes later, Sabah doubled their lead through midfielder Stuart Wilkin's volley after receiving a pass from Telmo Castanheira.
Brazilian import striker Joao Pedro completed Sabah's victory over the A1 semi-pro side after sealing in the team's third goal by heading in Danial Ting's cross in the 81st minute.
Pedro however, missed a golden chance to score a second personal goal after being awarded a penalty kick when the ball hit the hands of an opposing player, but his attempt was denied by goalkeeper Muhammad Syakir Danial Ma'amal Hajri in the 83rd minute.
In the quarter-finals, Sabah, who are three-time runners-up, are scheduled to face either Penang FC or Kuching City FC.
-- BERNAMA
