PETALING JAYA: After a superb start in the Super League, Sabah have hit a speed bump, losing two matches in a row.
And coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is not happy with his finishers.
It was pointless, he said, to create chances if goals are not being scored.
“We did not convert our chances. If we do not score, we will not return home with any points,” he said.
Sabah had won four of their first five games, and drawn the other 1-1 with Pahang.
After the international break, however, they were beaten 4-0 by Johor Darul Ta’zim on March 31 and 2-0 by Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
It was Kuala Lumpur’s first win in the league.
The team have dropped to fifth from second in the standings, with 13 points from seven games.
After the game against Kuala Lumpur, Kim Swee said his opponents had done well with their counter-attacking style.
“We were careless and lost focus after conceding the first goal. That was unacceptable. Our finishing was blunt,” he said.
“Park’s (Tae-su) absence affected us but we still dominated the midfield. Telmo (Castanheira) is slowly coming back. For me, not getting the goals was our downfall.
“When we control the game but do not finish, the opponents will take advantage.
“The defeat against Kuala Lumpur was a lesson. We must not waste any chances,” he added.
Sabah next take on Negri Sembilan at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi tomorrow and it won’t be easy against a team led by coach K. Devan.
Kim Swee said playing three away games during Ramadan was tricky but it was something they had to deal with.
“We have to think of managing being away from home because our next game is away too,” he said.
Left wingback Daniel Ting, meanwhile, wants to make amends by getting three points against Negri.
“We looked sluggish against Kuala Lumpur. It just felt like it wasn’t our day,” said the former Kuala Lumpur player,” he said.
“We do not want to lose again. We have to focus on Negri now and get some points.”
