The Crocs which were playing without any foreign players, and fielding many reserve players held Perak to a one all draw at Stadium Negeri tonight with the local players showing great composure in front of about 22,000 Sarawak fans.
The first whistle signaled Sarawak’s total control of the first half with the Crocs mounting countless attacks to the Perak goal mouth, with the visiting side unable to retain possession or have a clear shot on goal.
Sarawak came close to punishing Perak’s defenses in the early minutes of the game, but Rashid Aya couldn’t blast a shot pass the Perak defenders, providing the Crocs with a fruitless corner.
The Crocs came again through Ashri Chuchu who tried to drive in a powerful shot, but his ball was also blocked.
Akmal Rizal almost put the Crocs ahead moments later, but he too blasted the ball inches wide of the target.
In the 20th minute, Ashri brilliantly beat his marker, but his inviting cross in the box was headed wide by Akmal for the game to remain scoreless.
Perak which seems to be having a rather quite game so far however started to gain possession, but the back four of Sarawak intercepted most of their passes leaving the visiting team to long range shots which were easy for Fadzley Rahim.
Ashri almost delighted the home fans minutes before the half time break, but his powerful drive from just outside the box hit the upper bar for a fruitless corner.
After the breather, the Crocs continued to control possession in the game.
Sarawak captain Joseph Kalang definitely delighted the home fans minutes after the restart as he beat four Perak defenders before earning a fruitless free kick just outside the Perak box.
Mazwandi Zakeria then took the ball forward by dribbling past three defenders, but he failed to beat Perak’s last man.
In the 61st minute, Stadium Negeri roared the loudest when Ashri’s free kick was well connected by Hairol Mokhtar to put the Crocs at the driver’s seat.
The Crocs continued to press on to further, but Perak started to regain possession with dangerous counter attacks starting to emerge through Milan Purović and Marco Tulio as the Crocs slowed down play as a sign of fatigue.
Nonetheless, Joseph managed to dribble past his marker but his promising effort ended with a poor lob on goal.
Perak replied to the error with force, and a failed offside trap saw Marco Tulio converting the equalizer.
With the game heating up, the action went from end to end, but Sarawak’s Malaysia Cup hopes blew up entirely with Akmal missing a one-on-one opportunity during injury time, to end the game all square.
The draw meant that the Crocs will not be able to advance in the Malaysia Cup.
