Joseph Kallang Tie
SOLO RUN: Sarawak’s Bobby Gonzales stayed calm and controls the ball as he is heavily marked by PDRM’s players during their Premier League match at the State Stadium in Petra Jaya last night. — Photos by Chimon Upon
WINNER: Sarawak’s Joseph Kallang Tie shoots the ball during the match against PDRM which ended 1-0.
KUCHING: Sarawak narrowly defeated PDRM FC 1 – 0 at the Stadium Negeri Petrajaya last night to maintain its 10-match unbeaten run in the Premier League which resumed to the delight of football fans.
Joseph Tie Kallang became the toast of the home team after he scored the solitary goal in the 22nd minute of the rain soaked match which was attended by thousands of the local fans who braved the wet soggy conditions.
The full points should have consolidated the Crocs’s position as the second best team in the table standing but the first loss for the men in blue did not dent their reputation as the current leader of the pack.
Perlis did a small favour to the Crocs by defeating Kedah 2 – 1 at Stadium Kangar in a match which more or less had bearing on the current table standings.
Even with the absence of the Crocs’ central defender, Guy Bwele the visitors failed to find the equaliser in the match that saw the homesters’ defence holding on solid as a rock till the final whistle.
Kudos to Azizan Baba who played brilliantly as substitute to the injured Croatian hitman, Ivan Babic still unable to be fielded by chief coach, Robert Alberts.
The Dutchman had insisted of not taking the risk in fielding Babic and putting the recuperating player in line of fire.
The Crocs’ top scorer, Bobby Gonzales too was not at the best to deliver the goals no thanks to the tight markers PDRM had assigned to him but fellow team mates were fully aware of his predicament and played second fiddle instead.
PDRM’s top marksman and last year’s Premier League Golden Boot award winner, Khairul Izuan Abdullah was a constant danger to the Crocs’ centre back but the solid performance of the homesters’ defence deserved a standing ovation from the cheering crowd.
It was well deserved win for the Crocs and many had viewed it as a well belated St Valentine’s gift to the loyal adoring fans who came in the droves to support their local heroes.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Friday, Feb 15
RESULTS
Sarawak 1 – 0 PDRM
Pos Malaysia 0 – 2 Johor
UiTM 2 – 0 Sabah
Kedah 1 – 2 Perlis
Kuala Lumpur 0 – 0 SPA Putrajaya
NS Betaria 0 – 6 Sime Darbystandings
(played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points)
1. Sime Darby 6 4 2 0 13 2 14
2. Sarawak 6 4 2 0 11 2 14
3. PDRM 6 4 1 1 14 2 13
4. Johor 6 4 1 1 12 3 13
5. Kedah 6 4 0 2 8 5 12
6. Pos Malaysia 6 2 1 3 5 8 7
7. Kuala Lumpur 6 2 1 3 7 14 7
8. Sabah 6 2 0 4 7 11 6
9. SPA FC 6 1 2 3 9 10 5
10. Perlis 6 1 1 4 6 11 4
11. Betaria 6 1 1 4 4 18 4
12. UiTM 6 1 0 5 2 12 3