It was an entertaining game at Darulaman Stadium in Kedah, with the only thing missing were goals.
The first half saw Sarawak playing under par with Kedah controlling most of the game with neat passes as the Crocs seem lost with their wild shooting and passing.
Kedah almost drew first blood in the early moments of the game, but the goal post saved Sarawak from being behind.
Moments later, the Canaries broke the deadlock, but the goal was disallowed by the referee for an offside offence.
When the second half resumed, Sarawak started gaining more confidence as Joseph Kallang, Muamer Salibasic and Junior Eldstal started producing some decent attacks.
Despite Sarawak’s efforts however, Kedah proved to be the better side as they dominated play yet again to the dismay of the Crocs whom rellied heavily on counter-attacks.
Sarawak did however manage to give Kedah a scare when a wonderful floated pass by Muamer found Bobby. Bobby beat his marker and thundered in a powerful shot on goal, but the post stood in the way, while a follow up header from the Premier League striker was way off the mark.
Kedah replied the attack with through Khyril Muhymeen, but Ronny Harun was yet again ready to clear the ball away from danger.
Sarawak came forward harder, but Muamer’s thundering shot from the left side of the goal was saved by the Kedahan goalkeeper.
Kedah regrouped, and started yet again to dominate play, but the Sarawak defense marshaled by Ronny Harun kept the score at bay.
The Crocs countered Kedah’s dominance in the game through a solo effort by hardworking Joseph. However, Joseph’s powerful effort from outside the box was again wide.
With both teams staring at a draw, Kedah mounted more attacks towards the Sarawak back-line, forcing the fatigue looking Crocs to defend in numbers with Sani Anuar doing his heroics in saving his side from any leaks.
Despite five minutes of extra time, both teams failed to score, ending the game with both teams sharing the spoils and Sani Anuar declared as Man of The Match.
Elsewhere, Lions XII were yet again defeated in Group D after on-form Perak secured a 1-0 win, putting Sarawak still stuck at second place with four points.
-Photo featuring Mafry Ballang (No 4) by Ahmad Aki.
