DPMM FC claimed a valuable 2-1 away victory over Sabah FC in the Malaysian Super League on September 13, 2026. The Brunei-based side produced a disciplined and clinical performance at the Likas Stadium, handing Sabah a damaging home defeat that dents their title ambitions and boosts DPMM’s own hopes of a top-half finish.

Match Overview

Sabah FC, one of the traditional powerhouses of Malaysian football, went into the match as favourites, backed by a passionate home crowd in Kota Kinabalu. DPMM FC, who compete in the Malaysian league despite being based in Brunei, are known for their resilience and tactical organisation. The visitors had been in decent form, and they arrived with a clear game plan: soak up pressure and strike on the counter. Sabah, meanwhile, were looking to keep pace with the league leaders and needed a win to maintain their title challenge.

Key Moments

• 14' – DPMM 1-0: The visitors stunned the home crowd with an early goal. A quick free-kick caught Sabah’s defence napping, and Ali Rahman raced through to slot the ball past the goalkeeper.
• 52' – Sabah 1-1: Sabah finally found their rhythm after the break. Baddrol Bakhtiar, the team’s talisman, curled a beautiful shot into the top corner from 20 yards to level the scores.
• 79' – DPMM 2-1: Against the run of play, DPMM regained the lead. A corner was only partially cleared, and Hakim Yazid pounced on the loose ball, firing it through a crowd of players and into the net.

Tactical Story

Sabah dominated possession, finishing with 64% of the ball and 18 shots, but they struggled to break down a resolute DPMM defence. The visitors employed a 5-4-1 formation without the ball, crowding the midfield and forcing Sabah into wide areas where crosses were easily dealt with. When DPMM won possession, they broke quickly through their wing-backs, causing problems for Sabah’s high defensive line. The winning goal came from a set piece, an area where DPMM had clearly done their homework. Sabah’s manager will be frustrated by his team’s inability to convert dominance into clear-cut chances.

Standout Players

Hakim Yazid was the hero for DPMM, scoring the winner and putting in a tireless shift in midfield. Goalkeeper Wardun Yusof made several crucial saves, particularly in the second half, to preserve the lead. For Sabah, Baddrol Bakhtiar was the standout, scoring a superb goal and constantly trying to create openings. However, he lacked support from his teammates on the day.

Season Impact

The defeat leaves Sabah FC five points adrift of the league leaders, though they remain in the top four. DPMM FC climb to sixth, level on points with the teams above them. With plenty of matches still to play, both sides have time to achieve their objectives, but this result serves as a warning to Sabah that nothing can be taken for granted in the Malaysian Super League.