Sabah Women delivered a statement performance on the continental stage, thrashing NAPA Rovers FC Women 13-0 in the AFC Women's Champions League qualifying round on 17 August 2026. Playing at home in Kota Kinabalu, the Malaysian representatives were utterly ruthless from the 20:00 kickoff, producing one of the most emphatic scorelines in the young history of the competition.

Sabah set the tone with a rapid-fire start

The hosts needed just four minutes to break the deadlock, with Syahirah Rahman turning in a low cross from close range. That early strike opened the floodgates, and by the 18th minute Sabah were already three goals to the good as Farah Izzati twice found the net. NAPA Rovers FC Women, making their first appearance at this level of Asian club football, struggled to contain the relentless waves of attacking movement.

The pressure never let up. Sabah's midfield dictated play with quick, incisive passing, while the full-backs pushed forward at every opportunity. Aina Farhana added a sixth before half-time, and the home side went into the break with a commanding lead that had already put the contest firmly out of reach.

Three hat-tricks in one unforgettable night

The second half was more of the same, as Sabah continued to pour forward rather than settling for their early advantage. The scoreboard was given a constant workout, and the match stats will show three separate hat-tricks among the scorers:

• Syahirah Rahman — completed her hat-trick with goals in the 4th, 23rd and 61st minutes
• Farah Izzati — matched her teammate with strikes in the 9th, 18th and 55th minutes
• Nurul Ashikin — added her own treble in the 14th, 31st and 84th minutes

Aina Farhana weighed in with a brace, while Mastura Rahim and substitute Siti Noor Zulaikha rounded off the scoring in the closing stages. The 90th-minute injury-time goal completed the 13-0 rout and capped a perfect night for the Sabah supporters in attendance.

Tactical dominance from start to finish

Sabah's approach was simple but devastatingly effective. They pressed high from the front, forced turnovers in dangerous areas, and attacked in numbers. NAPA Rovers, despite showing commendable effort, were pinned deep for long spells and rarely threatened at the other end. The visitors' goalkeeper gave a tireless display to keep the score from reaching an even more unrealistic figure, but she was constantly exposed by the quality and movement around her.

What the result means in the AFC Women's Champions League

With three points and a massive goal-difference boost, Sabah Women have put themselves firmly in contention to advance from the qualifying group. The margin could prove crucial in a competition where group-stage places are decided on the tightest of margins. For NAPA Rovers FC Women, the defeat is a heavy early setback, but the Guam representatives will hope the experience of facing such a sharp attacking unit prepares them for the challenges still ahead.

For now, though, this night belongs to Sabah and a performance that will be remembered for a long time in Malaysian women's club football.