Malaysia Cup: Penang's hope to enter quarter-finals brightens

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The Penang team made full use of the advantage of playing at home by trouncing Sabah 2-1 in the Malaysia Cup competition at the Bandaraya Stadium last night.

The win rejuvenated the hopes of The Panthers squad to qualify for the quarter-finals.

 Penang chief coach Manzoor Azwira Abdul Wahid said that after losing 1-3 to Pahang on Saturday, his  players had gone down to the pitch with a mission to secure three points and they had played spiritedly to get an early goal.

‘’This win has boosted the spirit of the players to face the next match against Perak in Ipoh,’’ he told Bernama after the match.

The Panthers squad started out aggressively as soon as the whistle blew by making speedy attacks to the opposition goalmouth and took the lead in the ninth minute through a powerful drive by import striker Julian Bottaro.

Penang managed to defend the lead in the first half but Sabah equalised with a penalty kick in the 48th minute through Rodoljub Paunovic after he was fouled by an opposition’s defender.

Subsequently, both teams traded attacks but luck was on the homesters’ side when an attempt by striker Anselmo Casagrande hit the leg of Sabah defender Evan Wensley in the 73rd minute and the ball ricocheted into the latter’s own goal.

Meanwhile, Sabah team coach Jelius Ating said that he was, nonetheless, satisfied at the performance of his players.

The Rhinos squad would be visited by Super League runner-up champion Pahang in the next match while The Panthers squad would go to the Perak Stadium to meet the Bos Gaurus, both on Aug 17.

-- BERNAMA