KUCHING:Sarawak inspired by their new Bosnian player Muamer Silabasic defeated Perlis 2-0 to bring their steady climb up their Premier League table at the State Stadium, here, last night.
Sarawak dominated the first half with two goals from Joseph Kalang Tie and Bobby Gonzalez while they did just enough to finish off the match in the second half.
Sarawak started the match without their influential Cameroon player Guy Bwele who was suspended but the 12,000-odd crowds who turned up were not disappointed when they caught a glimpse of their new Bosnian playmaker Muamer Silabasic.
The player who replaced Croatian striker Ivan Babic gave the local crowds the delight as he provided two assists to give Sarawak the first two goals scored and and also attempted numerous shots at goal.
The goals were scored through Joseph Kalang Tie in the 12th minute and Bobby Gonzalez in the 38th minute.
In the first minute, Silabasic, operating down the flank, found the space to take a shot but it was too weak for Perlis keeper Muhamad Zahid Mohamed.
Sarawak sounded the first warning in the 8th minute when the Bosnian player skied a shot over the bar off a fine move after an exchange between him and Bobby Gonzalez.
Then in the 12th minute, Sarawak managed to find a way to goal from a three-men move started by Silabasic who crossed the ball to Bobby who took a shot but when the ball came back, Joseph Kalang Tie was in the right place to tuck it in.
Perlis only came close in the 4th minute when they earned a freekick at the edge of the box but a leaping Sarawak keeper Saiful Amar Sudar had the ball covered.
Bobby tried hard to add to the score and had chances on several occasions and came close in the 31st minute but the ball was stuck in between his feet and the Perlis defender recovered to deny him a clear shot.
It was left to Silabasic who displayed fine touches to wow the crowd and finish his move down the flank with a pin-point cross for Bobby to finish off the move with a fine header and take Sarawak to a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.
The Crocs tried to look for more goals in the second half but the Perlis side did not give up the fight.
Silabasic, whose performance in the second half fizzled out a little, had a glorious chance to score in the 61st minute but fluffed his shot from close range when he was fed by Bobby.
Sarawak gave their other new player, Putera Nadher Amarhan a chance when he came in in the 89th minute for Silabasic but their 2-0 first half effort was worth their effort.
Source: New Sarawak Tribune
