KUCHING: Sarawak heaved a sigh of relief when the referee blew the final whistle at stadium Negeri last night as they hanged on to a a nail-biting 3-2 lead to beat Terengganu.
Sarawak’s Ryan Griffiths scores a penalty against Terengganu during their Malaysia Cup Group B match at the Stadium Negeri last night. — Bernama photo
Sarawak’s Junior Eldstal (right) and Terengganu’s Vincent Bikana vie for the ball. — Bernama photo
The opening Malaysia Cup Group B looked like it was going to be a stroll in the park for the Crocs as despite missing two of their import players they cruised to a three nil lead in the first half.
The jubilant home crowd expected their team to continue the rout in the second half but instead were left praying for the final whistle as a resurgent Terengganu whittled the the three goal cushion to just one by the 71st minute.
The teams and fans observed a minute of silence for the MH370 and MH17 victims before the kick-off.
A large section of the fans threw paper airplanes in a poignant gesture to honour the victims.
Ryan Griffiths and Joseph Kalang spearheaded Sarawak’s attack as expected while defender Ronny Harun was suspended for the match.
The Sarawak’s back four consisted of Gabor Gyepes and Hairol Mokhtar in the centre while Ramesh Lai Ban Huat and Dzulazlan Ibrahim were on left and right back duty respectively.
The Crocs threatened almost immediately with Joseph Kalang’s shot in the 6th minute going just wide.
Sarawak took the lead a minute later when they were awarded a penalty after Rashid Aya was brought down in the visitors’ penalty box in the seventh minute.
Griffiths coolly slotted in the resulting spot kick.
Terengganu’s Marjo Karlovic wasted a clear opportunity in the 22nd minute when his shot went wide.
Griffiths breached the Turtles defence again in the 29th minute, slotting in a long cross from Rashid.
The Australian nearly bagged a hat trick moments later but his shot hit the side netting.
S. Chanturu added another one for Sarawak after he received a short pass in the Terengganu penalty box from Griffiths.
After the breather, Junior Eldstal nearly made it 4-0 but he failed to connect a pass from Joseph.
Terengganu pulled one back after Karlovic headed in a corner in the 57th minute.
Turtles narrowed the gap after skipper Zairo Anuar Zailani scored from a penalty in the 71st minute after substitute Ismail Faruqi was fouled in the box.
After their second goal the visitors threw everything into the attack searching for the equaliser but the Crocs’ defence stood strong to hold on to a precious slender win.