KUCHING: Sarawak have to cling onto their slim lead but came away with precious points when they defeated Sime Darby 1-0 to climb to the top of the table for the first time.
It was anxious moments for the Crocs fans for long periods as Sarawak, who had lots of chances throughout the match, could not make it count except the goal scored by Bobby Gonzales in the 19th minute.
Sarawak started the game rather defensively, trying to contain the aggressive attacks of Sime Darby who showed they were here to defend their top of the table position.
Their long sandquick passes from the back looked threatening but Sarawak were ready as their defence set a trap by defending leap.
Ther visitors won a few freekicks but each time, resolute defending kept them at bay.
Their most dangerous move was in the 13th minute when their foreign player Togaba K Kontiwa tested Sarawak keeper Sani Annuar with a low shot but it was too weak.
For all their efforts, Sarawak in the 19th minute started a move with Guy Bwele in the middle.
He sent a cross to Mafry Balang down the flank and his well-timed pass split open the defence with Bobby Gonzales taking the shot to ensure the ball landed into the net for Sarawak’s opening goal.
After the goal, Sime Darby’s long balls kept on threatening the Sarawak defence and the game was riddled by their physical checks and tackles but the referee kept his cards in his pocket.
Then in the 25th minute, Sarawak earned a corner with Junior Elsdstal, starting his first match, managed to rush forward to tab in the ball into the net but the goal was disallowed for offside.
In the 33rd minute, Sarawak put in Shahrol Saperi who did not start the game for the first time in place of Joseph Kalang Tie as coach Robert Alberts tried a tactical change.
Sarawak held onto their lead but in the 44th minute, Muamer Silabasic who played well in midfield but was rather quiet otherwise had a chance to increase the lead when Zamri squared the ball to his path but his curl shot sailed over the bar.
Sarawak started well in the second half as they created several chances but the second goal just didn’t come.
Shahrol had a good chance just three minutes into the restart when a Guy cross from the flank was met by a volley but the ball just sailed over the bar.
Two minutes later it was Muamer’s chance as he also came close as Sarawak are creating numerous chances as the game tilted heavily on their side.
Sarawak almost got their chance again in the 58th minute when Muamer broke through but his shot from close range again lacked accuracy.
The game was almost spoiled by the referee whose decisions frustrated the Sarawak players, with Alberts jumping our of his chair to protest at numerous occasions.
Sime Darby never gave up as they also threatened with counter attacks and in the 67th minute, shot straight at the Sarawak goal but it was blocked by a defender.
Sarawak, at the other end also never gave up their fight to increase their lead as they created several chances but the final telling pass was not there.
In the 79th minute, during a corner Hairol Motar gave the defence anxious moments when he dribbled round the defence to take a crack at goal but instead earned only a corner for his effort.
In the 81st minute, Bobby’s header off a quick raid from a pass by Bwele also went wide.
Source: New Sarawak Tribune
