Sabah F.C. (Malaysia)

Sabah F.C.

Full name	Sabah Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Rhinos
Founded	1950; 72 years ago (1950), as North Borneo Football Association
Ground	Likas Stadium
Capacity	35,000[1]
CEO	Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan
Manager	Ahmad Marzuki Nasir
Head coach	Ong Kim Swee
League	Malaysia Super League
2021	Malaysia Super League, 9th of 12
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Sabah Football Club (Malay: Kelab Bolasepak Sabah) is a football club with ownership by Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd. The football club competes in Malaysia's football league representing the state of Sabah in Borneo. They currently compete in Malaysia's top division professional football league, the Malaysia Super League. The team's home matches are played at the 35,000 capacity Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah.

The team won the Malaysia FA Cup in 1995, the Malaysian Premier League (top tier) in 1996, and the Malaysia Premier League (second tier) in 2019. In 1995, the team also advanced to the second round of the Asian Cup Winners' Cup after beating An Giang of V-League by 3–1 on aggregate, subsequently losing to Bellmare Hiratsuka (now Shonan Bellmare) of J-League by an aggregate score of 1–7.

Before being privatised in 2021, the team was one of the 14 Malaysian state teams of the Malaysian football structure before the Malaysian football league demanded all teams competing in the country's top two leagues to be run as or changed to professional clubs by the year 2021. Throughout the team's existence after the year 1962 and before the year 2021, the team was simply known as Sabah FA or Sabah FA State Football Team and during those years it was a football team that is not run as a professional football club, but rather a team that was funded and run by a Malaysian state football association that relied mostly on state government grants.

How the Sabah FA State Football Team was run was much like all the other Malaysian state football teams competing in the old Malaysian football system before the year 2021 too.

Hence to outsiders who are not familiar with the Malaysian football system or league (before the year 2020), the team was simply known as Sabah FA because it was run by the Sabah Football Association (SaFA). To those who follow Malaysian football on the other hand, the team is simply known as Sabah, even before it was privatised.

History[]

A photo of the North Borneo football team who were winners of the first edition of Borneo Cup tournament in 1962, just one year before the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in which the team's homeland North Borneo became a part of the country in 1963. The North Borneo territory also changed its name to the Malaysian region of Sabah after the formation of the country and the team followed suit by changing its name to the Sabah FA State Football Team.

From the 1950s until 1963, Sabah competed as North Borneo football team in the Borneo Cup together with Sarawak football team and Brunei national football team.^[2] Following the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, the North Borneo Football Association (NBFA) changed its name to Sabah Football Association (Sabah FA). Sabah qualify into the Malaysia Cup for the first time in 1977 and enter the competition in 1978.^[3]

Amateur and semi-pro era[]

A friendly match poster between Sabah Invitation and Manchester United on 10 June 1981 in Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Manchester United win with 2 goals.^[4]

Sabah was a well known team during the Malaysian football amateur and semi-pro era as state team produced many quality players namely the trio of James Wong, Hassan Sani and Peter Rajah.^[5][6] These players during their time led Sabah to become one of Malaysian football's most feared teams during the 80's. One fine example was during the 1979 Malaysian League where Sabah started slowly. After a run of 8 matches, they stood with 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses but, during the later stages they stepped up a gear or five by winning all their remaining 8 matches with most of them by huge margins, including an incredible 8–0 thrashing of Sarawak, 11–0 hammering of Perak and the 6–1 beating of Terengganu. At the end of the season, Sabah finished as runners-up behind Singapore and became the highest scoring team with 49 goals in 12 games, which is an average of 3 goals per game.^[7] In 1991, Sabah striker Matlan Marjan became the first Malaysian to score a double against England in 'A' international matches on 12 June 1991.^[8]

Professional era[]

When professional football was introduced by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Sabah also made a reputation of being one of the Malaysian League's most competitive teams. Quality professional players were produced from the ranks during the 1990s, most notably Matlan who helped Sabah finish as runners-up during 1993 and 1994 Malaysia FA Cup, and who at one time was appointed as the national team captain by the then Malaysian national team coach Claude Le Roy. The positive results gained from the beginning of professional era however was cut short by the match fixing scandal that rocked Malaysian football in 1994. The scandal almost destroyed Sabah and Malaysian football in general. Matlan was the one of several players found guilty for being involved in the scandal. As a punishment for their involvement in match fixing, he and the other players were banned for life by FIFA from being involved in football and banished from the state of Sabah by the state government under the Restricted Residence Act.^[9] After the scandal, Sabah began its rebuilding process to regain their reputation in Malaysian football. Sabah won their first professional trophy, the Malaysia FA Cup in 1995. In the 1996 season, Sabah won their first league title and went through to the final of the Malaysia Cup for the first time but were beatened by Selangor on penalties. David Rocastle, Sabah reached the final of the 1998 Malaysia FA Cup.^[10] With The 2000 season could be considered as Sabah's worst since joining the Malaysian professional league. They were relegated to the second division and could not get past the group stages of the Malaysia Cup. However, Sabah quickly regained its performance in the 2001 season where they finished as runners-up behind Johor FC.^[11] In the 2002 season, Sabah lining up players of calibre such as Zainizam Marjan, Khairul Azman Mohamed and foreign striker Josiah Seton, finished third in the league and again managed to get through to the final of Malaysia Cup by beating Selangor Public Bank and Perak. Sabah however finished as runners-up yet again by losing to the same team that beat them in 1996 final, Selangor. This time, Sabah lost by 'golden goal' scored by Mohd Amri Yahyah.^[12] In 2003, Sabah again finished third in Liga Premier One. Sabah again reached the final of Malaysia Cup. This time they lost to club-side Selangor MPPJ by 0–3, with hat-trick from Juan Manuel Arostegui.^[13]

Early Years in the Malaysian Super League[]

When the Malaysia Super League (MSL) was introduced in 2004, Sabah struggled to be competitive against other teams in the top league. Sabah only managed to stay in Super League for two seasons as they were relegated to Malaysia Premier League (MPL) for the 2005/06 season. After the relegation to 2nd tier league, Sabah continued to struggle for promotion to get back into the top division. They lost to Pahang in the 2006/07 season play-off for a place in 2007/08 Malaysia Super League.^[14]

All local players seasons[]

After 6 years playing in the 2nd tier MPL, Australian coach Gary Phillips was able to guide Sabah to promotion in 2010 – his first season in charge.^[15] After poor results which have affected Sabah's performance in the 2011 league and also the cup, Gary Phillips was replaced by Justin Ganai to save Sabah from relegation zone.^[16] Justin improved Sabah performance in 2011 Malaysia Cup where the team reached the quarterfinals. He was retained as head coach for the 2012 MSL season but step down as the league game were 2 games left. Sabah also relegated back to MPL after lose to Kedah in play-off match by which Pahang (was MPL side) won the play-off. Salt was added to the wound as the relegation was followed by them failing to qualify to the group stage of the 2012 Malaysia Cup.

Foreign players returns[]

Sabah started their 2013 season back in MPL as their main defenders, Sipitang duo Ronny Harun and Mafry Balang left for Borneo rival Sarawak and Bongawan young striker Rozaimi Abdul Rahman was loaned out to Harimau Muda A. 2013 season was led by Northern Irishman, David McCreery and they end up in 5th place but still available for Malaysia Cup play-off by which they lose heavily 0–4 to Negeri Sembilan at Shah Alam Stadium. McCreery left at the end of the season with disappointment. The year 2014 saw a major changes in the team's sponsorship by which local brand Carino was signed as their kit supplier and Ararat Sports plus BSA as their sponsors. During this season, Sabah ex-player and also a legend in 90's, Milomir Šešlija become their head coach replacing McCreery in the hot seat.^[17] National striker, Rozaimi and winger/midfielder Maxsius Musa also returned after their loan to Harimau Muda A and Harimau Muda B respectively finished. But to no avail, they finished 8th out of 12 in the MPL, missed the Malaysia Cup group stage for third consecutive seasons and also kicked out from FA Cup in the early stage. This was worse than the 2013 season. Milomir's contract was not renewed at the end of the season.

Just after 2014 season finished, another major changes was made by which George O'Callaghan was signed as their Technical Director and Justin is back as temporary head coach. Sabah FA chief executive officer TC Goh also came as team manager by which he and O'Callaghan makes a big signings. Carino remained as their kit supplier but only for the women team, futsal team, President Cup and U19 team. Adidas, Globaltech, UZMA, Grace One, BSA and Ararat Sports are their current sponsors. Sabah FA successfully signed twice African Player of The Year, El Hadji Diouf and his compatriot Abdoulaye Faye followed by Irish-born Libyan footballer, Éamon Zayed and Singaporean striker Fazrul Nawaz.^{[18][19][20][21]} Fazrul and O'Callaghan were released early in the season few weeks before Malaysia Premier League kick off.^[22][23] Fazrul was replaced with Joel Chianese during the mid-season transfer window in April and O'Callaghan was replaced with Brisbane Roar ex-head coach Mike Mulvey in February 2015.^[24][25] Both Chianese and Mulvey are Australian. After 3 games working as technical director, Mulvey was appointed as the new head coach while Justin went back to the President Cup team. During this current season, fans began to return and fill the home stadium. But as the seasons passing by, Sabah lose mostly of their matches during the second half of the season. Diouf's dissatisfaction with Sabah FA management plans,^[26] along with his dismissal during few of Sabah's matches thus allowing youngster Leopold Alphonso and Rawilson Batuil respectively to skip the team.^[27] Promising start of 2015 season end with huge disappointment for the team as they sit at 7th place, missing Malaysia Cup automatic slot and also the play-off. TC Goh, Mulvey and big name players such as Diouf, Zayed, Faye and Chianese plus local golden boy, Rozaimi Abdul Rahman left at the end of the season due to no contract renewal.^[28]

Asian & ASEAN player quota introduced[]

Following much efforts and various reorganisation made on the team, Sabah FA was crowned as the champion of the 2019 Malaysia Premier League for the first time since they last lifted the old first division title back in 1996.^[29] Having early secured various imports such as Brazilian Luiz Júnior, South Korean defender Park Tae-soo and Serbian midfielder Luka Milunović in the 1st leg transfer before securing another two important players such as Angolan striker Aguinaldo da Veiga together with Turkmenistan midfielder Ahmet Ataýew in the 2nd leg transfer that was combined with Serbian striker Rodoljub Paunović and various local talents, the team able to won thirteen matches from a total of 19 matches thus qualifying the 2020 Malaysia Super League.^[30][31][32]

Malaysian Football League Privatisation Era[]

Starting from the 2021 season, all clubs competing in the 2021 Malaysia Super League and the Malaysia Premier League, must be privatised as required by the Football Association of Malaysia(FAM) .^[33] Sabah Football Club Sdn. Bhd. was formed in order to fulfill the condition in order to compete in the 2021 season of Malaysia Super League. Local Businessman Dato' Verdon Bahanda was official appointed as the chief executive officer(CEO) of Sabah Football Club Sdn. Bhd. on the 12th of November 2020.^[34]

Crest and colours[]

Sabah FA crest

Being a Malaysian state football team competing in the Malaysian football league system before 2021, the team wore kits with the crest of the Sabah Football Association (SaFA) on them, whenever they play any competitive match. In November 2020 and following the privatisation of the club, Sabah FC displayed the club's new official logo on its Facebook page which was chosen following a competition to create the Sabah FC's logo. During the time, Sabah Football Club Sdn Bhd in its statement informed that the logo was created by an individual named Firzaruddin Zainal Abiddin. Apart from fulfilling the design requirements, the logo was chosen in the competition based on the one voted by the most fans as fans at the time get to vote on which logo they like on the team's Facebook page.^[35]

Stadiums[]

Likas Stadium, the home stadium for Sabah F.C.

• Likas Stadium
• Penampang Stadium
• Tawau Stadium

Likas Stadium is the current home ground for Sabah F.C. Penampang Stadium is occasionally used for afternoon matches, usually when Likas Stadium was renovated or if floodlights require maintenance. Tawau Sports Complex is a regular venue that is only used sometimes for the Malaysia Premier League.

Sponsors[]

Season	Manufacturer	Sponsor
2004	Line 7	Dunhill
2005		TM
2005–06		TM Net
2006–07		Celcom, TMnet
2007–08		Celcom
2009		Streamyx
2010	Carino	TM
2011	Adidas	none
2012
2013		Graceone
2014	Carino	BSA
2015	Adidas	Globaltec
2016		Sabah Energy & Asian Supply Base
2017	Carino
2018
2019
2020
2021	Lotto	Warisan Harta Sabah & Sabah Net

Club culture[]

Supporters[]

• Bola Sepak Sabah
• Football Fans of Sabah
• Kelab Penyokong Sabah Rhino
• North Borneo Ultras (NBU)
• Sabah Football Fans Club
• SabahRhinos.com since 1997
• Tawau City Hoodlum (TCH)
• The Rhinos Troops
• Sabah Diehard
• The Voice of Rhinos#12
• RedBois City (RBC)

Mascot[]

Sabah FA first mascot was the Rhino since mid-1990s. In 2010 SAFA rebranded the struggling team mascot to Hawk^[36] which was controversial as Kuala Lumpur FA at that time was also known as the Hawks.^[37] Sabah FA reinstated its name as the Rhinos starting from 2015.^[18] In 2019, Sabah FA once again rebranded as Tambadau.^[38]

During 2021 privatization process, Sabah FC was chosen as the new club name and Rhino once again became the official mascot.^[39]

Rivalry[]

Sabah FC neighbouring rival is Sarawak FA with both claiming the title of 'the best in Borneo' and referred to as the Borneo Derby.

Broadcasting[]

Radio coverage of regular season matches are broadcast on Sabah FM 89.9 in Malay language.

Honours[]

Club records[]

As of 27 November 2020

Note:

• Pld = Played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, F = Goals for, A = Goals against, Pts= Points, Pos = Position

  1st or Champions   2nd or Runner-up   3rd place   Relegation

Source:^[40][41]

Performances in AFC competitions[]

• Asian Cup Winners' Cup: 1 appearance

1995: Round of 16

Season	Competition	Round	Opponent	Home	Away
1995–96	Asian Cup Winners' Cup	First round	An Giang	3–0	0–1
		Second round	Bellmare Hiratsuka	1–2	0–5

Players[]

First-team squad[]

As of 1 August 2021^[42]

2021 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  MAS Joslan Aping 3 DF  MAS Rawilson Batuil (vice-captain) 6 DF  KOR Park Tae-Soo 9 FW  MAS Bobby Gonzales 11 MF  MAS Alto Linus 15 DF  MAS Randy Baruh 17 FW  MAS Amri Yahyah 18 MF  MAS Azwan Fattah 19 MF  MAS Ummareng Bacok 21 FW  MAS Maxsius Musa 26 FW  MAS Rahman Shah 27 FW  MAS N.Thanabalan 30 GK  MAS Rozaimie Rohim 35 GK  MAS Azlizan Azlan 36 DF  MAS Hanafie Tokyo 37 DF  MAS Gerald Gadit 38 FW  MAS Hizaz Lokman 39 MF  MAS Nureizkhan Isa 40 MF  MAS Sahrizan Saidin 41 GK  MAS Azrin Paiting 42 FW  MAS Harith Naem 43 MF  MAS Naaim Firdaus 48 MF  IDN Saddil Ramdani 77 DF  MAS Nazirul Naim (on loan from Perak)

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  MAS Azhad Harraz — MF  MAS Mohd Afiq Yunus — MF  MAS Baddrol Bakhtiar — DF  MAS Dominic Tan — MF  MAS Dirga Surdi — DF  MAS Rizal Ghazali — GK  MAS Damien Lim — DF  MAS Badrul Affendy — GK  MAS Khairul Fahmi Che Mat — DF  MAS Tommy Mawat Bada — MF  MAS Stuart Wilkin (on loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim II F.C.) — MF  MAS Irfan Fazail (on loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim II F.C.)

For recent transfers, see 2021 Sabah F.C. season.

Last updates: 06 Jun 2021

Out on loan[]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 16 MF  MAS Ariusdius Jais (to Kelantan United until 30 November 2021) 23 DF  MAS Sabri Sahar (to Sarawak United until 30 November 2021) 25 DF  MAS Evan Wensley (to Kelantan United until 30 November 2021)

Development squad[]

U21 squad[]

No.	Name	Nationality	Position(s)	Date of Birth
Goalkeepers
1	Joslan Aping		GK	1999
25	Mohd Ramzi Mustakim		GK	1999
30	Fahmi Ikhwan Muhd Azmi		GK	2000
Defenders
2	Abdul Rahim Razali		RB / RWB	1999
3	Gerald Gadit		CB	16/5/99
5	Mohd Faqrul Idris		RB / RWB	2000
6	Abdul Hanafie Tokyo Abdul Hashim		CB	2000
12	Mohd Izzat Aziz		LB / CB	2/1/99
13	Fyellonarllye Mcaxora Jappri		RB / RWB	2000
17	Xsevier Xcico Felex		CB / DM	5/3/00
23	Muhd Rozaily Akhmad		CB	2000
Midfielders
8	Muhammad Rusydi Musa		CM	1999
10	Muhammad Syahryl Aiman Saiddin		AM / CM	1999
14	Mohd Jasren Abdul Jamel		DM / CM	2000
15	Mohd Naaim Firdaus Stibin		RW / LW	1999
16	Leonardo Lisua		RM / RW	1999
18	Owen Piou@Piyau		CM	2000
20	Erick Odo		AM / CM	1999
21	Hazrul Ahmad		CM	2000
22	Nard Cylasto Christopher		LM / LW	2000
Forwards
7	Mohd Sahrizan Saidin		ST	1999
9	Mohd Hizaz Mohd Lokman		ST	2000
11	Muhammad Faqhrurazi Ahmad		ST	1999
19	Ronelson Madus		ST	2000
24	Eric Junior George		ST	1999

As of 8 March 2020:^[43]

U19 squad[]

No.	Name	Nationality	Position(s)	Date of Birth
Goalkeepers
1	Mohd Azlizan Mohd Azlan		GK	2001
25	Joffy John		GK	2002
30	Muhammad Azrin Paiting		GK	1998
Defenders
2	Mohd Faiz Danial Ag Hussin		RB / RWB	2002
4	Ervin Ebin		CB	2001
5	Mohd Syahmi Idris		CB	2002
6	Ritchie Svenson Fred Donny		CB	2001
12	Dani Adli Saiful Azuan@Joe		LB / LWB	2002
15	Seherry Aladin		CB	2001
16	Mohd Ferhan Mohd Johar		RB / RWB	2002
28	Jemslee Cheng		CB / LB / RB	2001
29	Armind Muhd Nunung		CB	2002
Midfielders
7	S.A. Radzee Eqmal S.A. Ramli		RW / RM	2001
8	Rusdi Roslan		CM	2002
10	Yuseril Yusekil		AM / CM	2001
11	Rozacklye Yanam		LW / LM	2002
17	Mohd Nasip Mohd Zain		LW / LM	2001
18	Mohd Syukri Suaimi		RM / RW	2002
20	Fadhli Dzil Ikram Rujin		CM	2002
22	Muhd Shahfiq Isra Yusof		CM	2001
24	Mohd Zakisadruddin Jumaad		AM / LW / RW	2002
Forwards
9	Mohd Ezaidi Jurimo		ST	2002
13	Mohd Nazemizan Naslon		ST	2001
19	Mohd Syaril Abdullah		ST	2001
23	Jeckelly Manir		ST	2002

^[44]

Current coaching staff[]

Position	Name
CEO	Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan
Deputy President	Juil Nuatim Abdul Rahman Mohd Zakaria
Technical Director	Scott Ollerenshaw
Head Scout	Matlan Marjan
Manager	Ahmad Marzuki Nasir
Head Coach	Ong Kim Swee
Asst. Coach	Burhan Ajui
GK coach	Irwan Jamil
Fitness coach	Rastislav Božik
Team Doctor	Kiran Kandiah
Physio	Matlan Basir
Masseur	Madlin Saman
Masseur	Bonaventure Michael
U21 Manager	Juil Nuatim
U21 Head coach	Jelius Ating
U21 Assistant Coach	Billyton Vun Ket Ming
U21 GK coach	Dante S Tipay
U21 Fitness coach	Handly Sekukut
U21 Physio	Halmond Ting Kai Soon
U19 Manager	Abdul Rahman Mohd Zakaria
U19 Head coach	Johnny Dominicus
U19 Asst. coach	Bobby Gonzales
U19 GK coach	Rozaimie Rohim
U19 Fitness coach	Awang Jasrie Awang Matusin
U19 Physio	Maxson Michael George
Kitman	Azree Rosli

Managers and coaches[]

Managers[]

Coaches[]

Coach history[]

The following coaches won at least one trophy when in charge of Sabah:

Name	Period	Trophies
Kelly Tham	1995–1996	1995 Malaysia FA Cup
Ron Smith	1996–1998	1996 Premier League
Jelius Ating	2017–2019	2019 Malaysia Premier League

Former notable players[]

Notable former players that represented their national team:

Football clubs[]

Affiliated clubs with Sabah F.C.[]

Affiliated clubs outside Sabah F.C.[]

• Sarawak

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Sabah football supporters website
• Sabah FA team latest statistics
• Sabah FA individual player stats