MATCH REPORT: Felda United 3-3 Sarawak FA

The Crocs were staring at defeat at Stadium Selayang tonight, but a wonder screamer by veteran midfielder Sharol Saperi ensured the Crocs returns home with one point from a difficult game against new Super League comer, Felda United.

Sarawak started the game a bit jittery with Felda allowed room to make attacks. Ndumba Makeche almost put the home side in front but Iqbal Suhaimi showed safe hands.

However, the Crocs slowly picked up their game play and started using their quick counter attacks to catch Felda United off the break. Ashri Chuchu and Joseph Kalang were constant threats to Felda’s backline, as Billy Mehmet led by example by showing amazing team play.

Joseph almost put Sarawak in the drivers seat but his shot on goal was straight to the goalkeeper. Joseph nonetheless made amends to the poor effort by supplying Billy with a perfect pass, which Billy drove in the net for his debut goal for Sarawak.

Felda fought back for the equalizer, and a poor tackle by Joseph in the 4oth minute gave the Fighters a penalty kick which Bojan Miladinovic calmly took to put both teams back to square one.

Sarawak tried to regain their lead via Ashri Chuchu, but his shot on goal was wide off the mark. Another attempt by Ivan Fatic was also fruitless.

After half time, the Crocs paid dearly for a grave mistake when Edward Junior caught their defence napping. The Liberian took full advantage of the chaotic Sarawak defense line to put his side in the lead in the 46th minute.

Sarawak, now trailing, moved to increase pressure on the Felda defence and got close to equalizing yet again, but Ivan Fatic’s shot was straight to Felda’s goalkeeper.

The Crocs didn’t give up and continued their attempt on goal after Partiban was brought in to replace Ashri Chuchu. Partiban’s inclusion saw the Crocs re-organize their attacks with the young Perakian terrorizing the defences of Felda United.

After failed attempts by both Joseph and Billy, Hairol Mokhtar finally leveled the score in the 77th minute by heading in a wonder cross from Sharol Saperi.

With the game back level, Felda pressed Sarawak for the winner. The Fighters pressed through every angle and won a corner which saw the Crocs leak yet another goal when Edward Junior knocked in the third goal for his team.

Sarawak, knowing that they are close to losing the game, threw everything at Felda’s half to peg Felda back again.

With seconds left on the clock, Sharol drove in a fantastic screamer to ensure the Crocs leave Stadium Selayang glad of the magnificent last minute strike.

The game saw the debut of several new Sarawak players, namely Billy Mehmet, Ronald Hiskpoor, Ivan Fatic, Iqbal Suhaimi, Ikhwan Izzat and Partiban.