The waterlogged pitch had made it difficult to control the ball. Here, Gilmar slipped after being challenged by a Terengganu defender. A 56th-minute penalty by Gilmar earned the Crocs the three points needed after terms at 1-1. — Photo by Muhd Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: David Usop’s tactical switch to direct football paid off, as Sarawak beat Terengganu 2-1 in their Super League soccer encounter played under torrential downpour at Stadium Negeri here on Wednesday.
A 56th-minute penalty by Gilmar Jose Da Silva Filho was enough to earn the Crocs the three points, after strike partner Ndumba Makeche gave the home team an early lead. Terengganu equalised through Vincent Bikana in the 21st minute.
“It is not easy to play in a heavy, waterlogged pitch. The team worked hard, we played more aggressive and created quite a few chances. It was unfortunate we fail to convert these chances.
“The heavy rain disrupted our game plan and we resorted to play straight football. We were set out to control the midfield but the weather and pitch condition had forced us to change our play,” head coach David said in post-match comments.
Sarawak started the match in full attacking mode, piling pressure on the visitor’s defence. Barely a minute into play, Syahrul Azwan Ibrahim – making a dash at the right flank – found himself in a one-on-one situation after being put through on goal, only to see his shot palmed away by goalkeeper Mohd Sharbinee Allawee.
The resulting corner found Gilmar at the edged of the box and the Brazilian striker immediately set up Makeche. With only the goalkeeper to beat, the Zambian forward coolly slots the ball home in what could be Sarawak’s fastest goal of the season.
The Crocs dominated the game but a moment of confusion inside the box in the 21st minute led to Bikana’s equaliser. Six minutes later, Tommy Mawat Bada put the home team ahead with a powerful grounder at the edge of the box. His goal was disallowed after match official Syed Azhar Syed Kamar ruled that Makeche had committed a foul in his bicycle kick attempt just seconds earlier.
In the 33rd minute, Makeche broke free from his marker but the soaking wet pitch slowed his run. With Terengganu’s centre pairing of Bikana and Hasmizan Kamarodin able to track back, the striker teed off Syahrul only to see the shot blocked.
After the breather, Sarawak continued on the offensive and almost registered a goal had playmaker Junior Aparecido Guimaro not skewed his shot inches wide.
Sarawak eventually reaped the rewards of the torturous conditions after Makeche was fouled inside the box in the 56th minute. The striker was able to out muscle Bikana during a counter attack but a desperate attempt to clear the ball by the Terengganu defender had caught Makeche instead. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Gilmar sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Sarawak the lead.
Terengganu almost hit back in the 63rd minute but Bogdan Milic’s powerful strike from outside the box went straight to Sarawak goalie Mohd Iqbal Suhimi. Ronny Harun, making a long awaited return, almost turn provider in the 75th minute when his trademark throw-in nearly found an unmarked Makeche in the six-yard-box.
In the 86th minute, former Sarawak captain Joseph Kalang Tie found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat after substitute Nur Shamie Iszuan Amin lost possession outside the penalty box.
Mohd Iqbal prevailed in the one-on-one situation.
The home goalie again come to the rescue, diving right to clear a goal-bound header from a Terengganu set-piece. Deep into injury time, Junior hit the post with a shot from outside the box.
Sarawak will next play Pulau Pinang this Saturday at Stadium Negeri. Kick-off is scheduled at 8.15pm.