Age is just a number for former national player Amri Yahyah.
At 42 years old, Amri showed he has not lost his magic touch when he scored a hat-trick in Sabah’s 4-0 thrashing of Kedah in Sunday’s Super League match at Likas Stadium.
The forward scored for the Rhinos in the 51st, 61st and 72nd minutes, while Park Tae Su netted the other goal in the 56th minute.
Understandably, Sabah coach Ong Kim Swee was pleased with his team’s immediate response to last week’s 2-1 defeat at KL City.
“The players followed instructions today. We created a lot of chances and did not allow Kedah to play their usual game.
“I am happy with the result,” said Kim Swee after the match.
“Despite his advanced age, Amri delivered the goods, and I believe he is the oldest player to have scored a hat-trick in the Super League. If it is a record, I believe it will stand for a long time. Amri is a role model, and he always inspires his teammates to do their best in every match.”
Sabah are second in the standings with 12 points ahead of third-placed Kedah on goal difference.
Kedah coach Aidil Sharin Sahak said: “We did not defend well and let in soft goals today.
“The players have to buck up as we have been making the same mistakes in every match.
In Paroi, Negri Sembilan sealed their second consecutive win at home by edging KL 2-1.
Herold Goulon was the toast of Negri with a brace (47th and 76th minutes).
Negri’s Sean Selvaraj scored an own goal in the 75th minute.
KL coach Bojan Hodak said his team wasted too many scoring opportunities.
“If you miss chances, you will lose. The team also did not defend well and allowed Negri to score soft goals,” said Hodak.