[MSL] Selangor 3-0 Sarawak: Crocs open up title race

Sarawak allowed the race to the Super League title open up further after they allowed Paolo Rangel to trash them at Shah Alam Stadium last night.

Contrary to the scoreline however, the game was pretty much balanced with both side exchanging attacks with the Crocs having several chances to score.

Unfortunately for the visiting Crocs, the absence of Muamer Salibasic and Ryan Griffith, both prominent strikers in their side, meant they could not convert many of these chances, hence seeing the Crocs failing to convert quality scoring chances provided by their midfielders.

As the game progressed, Sarawak seemed to be unable to make accurate shots on goal, with their counterparts creating more menacing runs with the likes of Andik Vermansyah and Paolo a handful for both Mafry Balang and Hairol Mokhtar at the defence of Sarawak.

Andik almost put his team forward in the 22nd minute but his header went straight to Fadzley Rahim’s arms.

S Chanturu then had a golden opportunity for the Crocs but his shot on goal was blocked by the defenders of Selangor which were led by Australian S Pantelidis.

Rashid Aya then blasted a wild shot towards the Selangor goal to the frustration of his four other teammates which were waiting in front of goal.

Junior Eldstal also found himself with a great chance to put the Crocs in front, but his free header was far from the target.

As they game progressed to the half time, Selangor pressed for the lead and finally got their lead when Paolo blasted in a volley to beat Fadley to the joy of the home crowd.

The second half saw Selangor dominating further with the Crocs still unable to convert their chances.

Rashid tried hard to beat his marker, but his shot on goal was far wide, and his dribbles were easily beaten by Bunyamin Umar. A good pass by Rashid to fast running Akmal Rizal was also an easy catch for Farizal Marlias who rushed out to save what could be Sarawak’s first goal.

And then came the five minutes of madness.

Andik received a perfect pass and outran Mazwandy Zakeria to push it outwards to awaiting Paolo whom made no mistake to tap in Selangor’s second goal.

Barely recovering from the second goal, the Crocs leak another when Paolo pushed one to Ahmad Hazwan who made no mistake to tuck it neatly behind Sarawak’s goal.

The three goal lead was good enough for Selangor who then opted to retain possession by keeping the ball away from the Sarawak players.

In the last moments of the game, Joseph Kalang blew the best chance for Sarawak to secure a consolation goal when he shot weak a cross from Dzulazlan Ibrahim, hence confirming that Selangor win the full three vital points in Shah Alam.

The win meant that Sarawak will yet again be decision makers for the league title as they entertain current league leaders JDT in Stadium Negeri next Wednesday. JDT lead the standings by one point and Selangor is expected to win against already relegated PKNS FC at Shah Alam in their last game.

Final Score: Selangor 3-0 Sarawak
Photo credit to Rubiq/DuniaSukan