While optimism was high on Sarawak’s side, reality spoke tonight as the Crocs allowed three goals in the space of fifteen minutes to give Pahang a comfortable two goal lead into the return leg in Kuching.
Sarawak started the game tactically different from their previous away games as they pressed forward to find an early goal, but Muamer Salibasic’s shot on goal in the first few minutes was easily stopped by Pahang keeper, but that was it for the Crocs as Pahang through R. Gopinathan and R Surendren pressed forward from the flanks with Matias Conti and Azamuddin Akil being main targets of their deadly crosses.
In the 29th minute, Gopinathan raced with the ball through the left flank only to have his shot blocked by Sani Annuar, whom then failed to clear the rebound off Gopinathan, which was easily headed in by Azamuddin to put Pahang one goal up.
Stunned, Sarawak tried to come back into the game but a beautiful cross from Surendren was nicely headed in yet again by Azamuddin to put the Crocs task of reaching the finals further away.
Barely five minutes later, Pahang sank the Crocs even further from their quest when an error in judgement by Sani gave Matias enough room to lob in the third goal for Pahang.
Captain Sharol Saperi gave the Crocs a glimmer of hope in the 40th minute when his deflected shot sailed right into the goal, but Pahang stood confident as they dominated possession and play up to the half time.
When the second half restarted, the Crocs improved their passing but each effort came pointless as Pahang countered every attack with dangerous counter attacks.
The frustration grew even more when Bobby Gonzales missed a clear chance in front of goal with Damion Steward leading his defenders to throw out any re-surging attack from the Crocs.
Robert Alberts tried to inject some depth into his side by putting in Azizan Baba, but the move failed to ignite any good chances for the Borneo side.
With three minutes of added time, the Crocs stayed defending with Pahang finally cheering on what their coach Dollah Salleh believed to be a comfortable score for the second leg of the Malaysia Cup semi finals in Kuching next Saturday.
Photo from Nizam F.
