KOTA KINABALU — After a 27-year wait, Sabah FC is finally heading to the FA Cup final. They edged out Selangor FC 5–4 on penalties in the second-leg semi-final at MBSJ Stadium, after a dramatic 3–3 draw after extra time.
Damien Lim was the night’s hero, making two crucial saves in the shoot-out — first diving to his right to deny Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar, then pushing away a shot from Mohammad Abualnadi — securing Sabah’s final berth against Johor Darul Ta'zim FC on December 14.
The game unfolded in dramatic fashion: Faisal Halim opened the scoring in the 33rd minute for Selangor, but Sabah responded quickly after halftime when defender Dane Ingham curled in an equaliser. Selangor retook the lead in the 51st minute through Chrigor Moraes, only for Sabah’s Ajdin Mujagić to level the score in the 62nd minute. Ten minutes later, Selangor struck again, but Ajdin equalised from the spot in the 88th to force extra time and eventually penalties.
In the shoot-out, Sabah’s successful takers were Darren Lok, Stuart Wilkin, Daniel Ting, R. Dinesh and Dane Ingham.
Sabah’s head coach Jean‑Paul de Marigny praised the resilience and spirit of his side: despite trailing three times, they kept fighting. “When you are brave, the game will reward you,” he said, expressing pride in his players, staff and supporters.
Image from Sabah FC Official Fb Page