KUCHING: The physicality and aggression by Sabah FC in their previous encounter with Kuching City FC gave the Rhinos the upper hand, with the visitors emerging victorious.
In their Malaysia Super League match on Dec 4, Kuching City were excellent in the first half but struggled with finishing, an issue that head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak has highlighted throughout the season.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, the Cats were unable to convert, and found it difficult to break through Sabah’s defence.
Their solid defensive performance was a key factor in their victory.
Throughout the game, the Rhinos were compact at the back, with their tall defenders consistently blocking Kuching’s attacking efforts.
The visitors took control in the second half, with Gabriel Peres scoring a towering header to seal a 2-1 win for Sabah.
The defeat left Kuching City disappointed, but fans remain hopeful for a better result in their upcoming clash in the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals.
Since the last match, tensions between the two sets of fans have flared on social media, with heated debates about which team has performed better.
While the cultural and traditional ties between the teams are friendly, the Borneo Derby is far from it, with fierce rivalry taking centre stage.
Despite the banter between supporters, both teams are gearing up for another fierce battle.
The Sarawak State Stadium is expected to be buzzing with excitement once again, with over 2,000 fans attending the last match.
There is hope for even greater turnout this time around, as the Cats aim to bounce back and make their mark in the Malaysia Cup.
Aidil acknowledged that his players need to improve ahead of Sunday’s crucial match.
“We need to go back to the training ground and train to become better,” he said in the press conference that the last time these two teams squared off.
He addressed that Sabah’s physicality and aggression were key factors in his team’s previous loss.
On the other hand, Sabah FC assistant head coach Alto Linus praised Kuching City’s performance, acknowledging the challenges his side faced in overcoming the home team.
“Kuching City had great momentum, and playing at home gave them an advantage,” Alto said.
As the teams prepare for the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals on Dec 15, the Borneo Derby is set to deliver more drama and intensity.
