MATCH REPORT: Sarawak FA 2-1 Sabah FA

The Crocs look unprepared for the opening season of 2015 as they struggled tonight to defeat neighbour Sabah FA in a pre-season friendly game played at Stadium Negeri.

Playing in front of a fewer crowd compared to the Sarawak vs KL SPA FC, the Crocs started the game with long and high passes looking for the opening goal.

Their efforts paid off when Hairol Mokhtar was able calmly slot in the ball into the net of Sabab in the 8th minute, putting Sarawak ahead in the game also known as the ‘Borneo Derby’.

But the celebrations were short lived when a mistake by Ivan Fatic saw the Rhinos pegging the Crocs back immediately in the 9th minute through Syafiq Jamil.

Sabah then pressed on and dictated the midfield of the game with Maxius Musa, Sabah’s right winger, creating chances and unsettling the Sarawak defence led by Ramesh Lai.

In the 21st minute, Ivan Fatic earned an unnessary yellow card after he reacted poorly to a bad tackle by the only Sabahan import playing, Abdoulaye Faye. The referee also awarded Abdoulaye the yellow card for the poor tackle.

After the half time, the game continued where it left off with both teams trading attacks with much caution.

Sabah then decided to substitute Abdoulaye following his allegations that racist remarks were made towards him by the attending fans.

The absence of Abdoulaye at the Sabah defence was quickly capitalized by Billy Mehmet who tried a powerful shot on goal, but the Sabah goalkeeper Irwan Jamil was ready to save the day.

In the 57th minute, a wonder pass by Ryan Griffith saw Ashri Chuchu intelligently finish off a great goal for the Crocs, erupting Stadium Negeri for only the second time of the night.

Sarawak’s confidence grew as Ashri smartly crossed in a beautiful ball to find unmarked Ronald Hikspoor, but that golden chance went begging.

With the clock almost favouring full time, both Sabah and Sarawak exchanged attacks, but none were able to convert their chances with the final score 2-1 for the homeside.

The slim win over the less fancied Rhinos is expected to anger Sarawak fans whom have hoped that the Crocs would showcase true quality as raved by Robert Alberts in local papers.