Sarawak’s Junior Eldstal (15) reacts after missing a scoring opportunity against Perak during their Super League match at the Stadium Negeri last night. — Photos by Muhd Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Sarawak edged Perak by a solitary goal scored by Milorad Janjus from a free kick taken just outside the penalty box which sailed over the visitors’ defensive wall and swerved into the right corner of the goal leaving keeper Razi Effendi Suhit stranded in the eighth minute at Stadium Negeri here last night.
The match was an ill-tempered encounter and the referee was the busiest man in the pitch having to flash out nine yellow cards and one red card.
Perak went into the match with the bitter memory of a 6-1 thrashing by the Crocs at the same venue last year and when Janjus scored with his spectacular free kick the home fans sensed that history would repeat itself with another whitewash for the visitors.
It was not to be as that goal proved to be the only one scored in the match but there was no lack of excitement with plenty of full-blooded tackles resulting in those yellow cards.
Sarawak had a few chances in the first half to increase the lead but they all went a begging.
In the second half Perak played with more urgency as they surged forward looking for the equaliser but like their hosts they too failed to convert any of the chances they created.
The crocs defended stoutly and looked dangerous in their counter attacks with captain Joseph Kalang Tie almost increasing their lead in the 79th minute when his bicycle kick went straight to the Perak goalkeeper’s hand.
Late in the game Perak introduced their Bosnian import Zelimir Terkes and his presence spurred them to a higher tempo in their attempts to salvage at least a point from the match.
The visitors were given a boost in the 70th minute when Sarawak’s Junior Eldstal was shown the red card but the 10-man Crocs fought a rearguard battle as they withstood the late Perak onslaught to claim three points to move second in the table with nine points from five matches just one point behind table toppers Terengganu.
Two other teams Kelantan and Selangor are also on nine points but have inferior goal difference.
Sarawak will next play Felda United in the FA Cup quarter-final second leg at home next Tuesday.