[MSL] Pahang 3-1 Sarawak: Pahang extend win over Crocs

Tok Gajah extended their good run against the Crocs when they ran over the striker-less visiting side at Stadium Darul Makmur last night.

The Crocs started off aggressive to continue their good run in the Super League, but soon found themselves overshadowed by the massive attacking arsenal of the home side, Pahang.

Pahang coach Zainal Abidin Hassan employed a complete foreign attacking force for his side with Dickson Nwakaeme and Matias Conti a handful for the Crocs defenders.

Dickson in particular, constantly defeated his marker, as he ran rounds around the likes of Mafry Balang that night.

In a moment of madness, a cross in the box by Dickson was not stopped well by the Sarawakian defenders, and unlucky Ronny Harun deflected the powerful cross into his own net to put Pahang at the drivers seat in the 30th minute.

Sarawak tried to fight back but runs from R Gopinathan proved too hot to handle with the home side regaining their attacking momentum, and the Crocs defending in numbers.

Numerous chances for the Crocs which came from swift counter attacks were either blasted high and wide by Joseph Kalang, Rashid Aya and Junior Eldstal, or too easy for Pahang goalkeeper Khairul Azhan Khalid.

In the 60th minute, Damion Steward made it 2-0 for the Crocs as a wonder set-piece corner by his side allowed him to easily beat Sani Anuar whom was only able to see the ball cross the line of his goal.

The second half didn’t improve the Crocs fortunes as they found themselves sinking even further with the home side pushing harder to extend the lead.

A superb long range shot by Hafiz Kamal in the 71st minute sealed Sarawak’s fate for the night leaving the Crocs three goals down, and defending in numbers.

With defeat staring at themselves, the Crocs put in the only available natural striker they had in Milorad Janjus, with Ashri Chuchu also brought in to boost their attacking flair.

The change somewhat improved Sarawak’s attack, and Rashid Aya sneaked in a consolation goal in the dying minutes of the game.

With three minutes of added time, the Crocs found themselves unable to penetrate Tok Gajah’s defenses again, with the final whistle confirming the Crocs continuing their poor history against the east cost giants.

The defeat means that Sarawak drop to fifth with the game against Selangor this Tuesday being more crucial than ever.

FINAL SCORE: Pahang 3-1 Sarawak