KUCHING: Sarawak had to come from behind to beat a stubborn KL SPA Putrajaya FC 2-1 after they were shocked by a goal in the first half in the match played at the State Stadium last night.
SPA were the better side in the first half as their aggressive play and fast counter-attacks had Sarawak back paddling all over the place.
SPA foreign striker Joel Armel Ngalaha was the main threat in the first half scoring the first goal with a header in the 42nd min before Guy Bwele replied with Sarawak’s equaliser from a free-kick in the 56th min.
Sarawak’s top scorer Bobby Gonzalez who missed several chances scored the winner from a headed goal in the 77th min with new player Junior Eldstal providing the assist.
The KL SPA put up quite a resistance in the first half, as Sarawak had a difficult start as their early chances came from long attempts by their Bosnian new signing Muamer Silabasic.
Combining with Guy Bwele in midfield, Silabasic came closest in the 4th min when given half a chance he tried a low shot from 10 metres that was a whisker wide.
In fact in was SPA that troubled Sarawak for a spell starting from the 22nd min when their foreign striker sneaked in to steal a header that was luckily for Sarawak went wide.
Another mistake a minute later let the SPA through the Sarawak defence but Sarawak keeper Sani Annuar was able to save the shot.
Sarawak managed an attempt through Ronny Harun in the 31st min when the ball was dropped nicely to him during a freekick but the SPA defender managed to block the shot.
In the 40th min, Zamri Morshidi managed to dribble into the box but was checked by two defenders and he was later flashed the yellow card by the referee for diving.
Then in the 42nd min in a counter-attacking move, SPA shocked the Sarawak side when their foreign player Joel Armel Ngalaha blasted a low shot with the Sarawak defenders well beaten.
Sarawak were almost two-goal down when their defence was caught napping even before the full minute was up but luckily for Sarawak, Sani Anuar saved the point blank shot.
Back-paddling, the Sarawak defence had to work under pressure as there was no Sarawak attack in the first five minutes of the second half.
Muamer who worked very hard but he failed to find an opening to shoot as Sarawak woke up after that raid.
Sarawak had a goal from a corner in the 53rd min but the goal was disallowed much to the disappointment of the home crowds.
In the 56th minute Bobby Gonzalez was brought down in the edge of the box to give Sarawak the chance with a freekick.
Guy Bwele placed the ball with a crisp shot to beat the keeper and the Sarawak’s equaliser.
In ther 58th min, Sarawak sent in Junior Eldstal for Shahrol Saperi and his presence added aerial power into the Sarawak’s attack.
Junior was able to use his height to give Sarawak‘s second goal when he headed to Bobby right in front of the SPA goal.
Bobby made no mistake with the chance as the keeper was rooted to the ground and the ball sailed into the net for Sarawak’s winning goal.
In the 77th min, Bobby could have added his team’s third goal when he came close when he was put though but the SPA keeper was able to parry his shot for a corner.
After that goal, Sarawak grew stronger in confidence as they lined up several shots but all those efforts were saved by the defensive SPA wall. – Martin Yee
Source: New Sarawak Tribune
