It will be a night to remember for some because for the first in many years, the Stadium Negeri was packed to the brim, with some having to walk a distance of over 1km to reach their respective parked cars due to a massive traffic jam after the game. Tickets were sold out, and the atmosphere couldn’t be even more awesome.
But of course, best of all was the fact that the Crocs put four into the Canaries goal, with the visiting team powerless, and finally crumbling to the domination of the superior Crocs.
Although the first half seemed like an even contest with the score level at 0-0 until the half time, it was indeed one way traffic with the likes of Khyril Muhymeen, Alan Guc and Badrol Bakhtiar only able to make long shots, which were easy for national goalkeeper Sani Anuar.
The Crocs were on ‘gung-ho’ mode from the first whistle as they out-paced and out-played the defense of the Canaries with quick agile runs from almost every corner.
Zamri Morshidi and Muamer were performing very well during the night, as JKT dropped deep to fill in the hole left by Guy Bwele and Sharol Saperi who are still injured.
Nonetheless, finishing these attacks seemed to be a problem because Bobby was still unable to score the chances given, and other Sarawakian players opted to play rugby when presented the chance.
Kedah had an opportunity to put themselves ahead before the first half ended, but Syukri Wan Ahmad failed to convert an open chance despite having Sani Anuar already defeated.
Kedah brought in Syazwan Zainon to spice up their attack in the second half, but the Crocs had different ideas as Junior Eldstal joined his mates in attack.
Junior then ran down the right before unleashing a teasing cross which rattled the goal bar, forcing the goalkeeper of Kedah to tip it out for a fruitless corner.
Minutes later, Zamri Morshidi brought euphoria to Stadium Negeri when he nicely powered a low shot given by Bobby to put Sarawak at the lead.
As the crowd shouted ‘SA-RA-WAK’, Kedah arranged a counter attack to level the score, but soon found that the Crocs had regained possession with Ramesh Lai locking himself onto Alan Guc effectively.
In the 74th minute, a blocked shot by Bobby Gonzales fell right in-front of Muamer Salibasic, who did no mistake to lob in a cheeky 25-yards goal to place the Crocs even further ahead.
More raids came when Azizan Baba came in for Ronny Harun, but the Kedah goalkeeper brilliantly pushed out most efforts for fruitless corners for the home side.
Sarawak threw everything to Kedah as the clock ticked on by, but Bobby and Muamer found themselves guilty of elaborate dribbling.
Bobby whom was denied several chances finally proved he is too hot for the Canaries defense when he used his deadly strike convert in a wonderful poachers effort in the 74th minute of the game.
The goal machine of Sarawak yet again punished the defenders of Kedah two minutes later by rounding of the goalkeeper, before calmly slotting in the final goal of the game.
Unable to react, Kedah players went physical towards Muamer, forcing the referee to banish a red card to one of their players.
The red card signaled the end for Kedah as the referee soon blew the final whistle with the Crocs demolishing the Canaries 4-0 at Stadium Negeri.
The win puts Sarawak at the top of Group D after Lions XII beat Perak at Stadium Jalan Besar.
The Malaysia Cup rest for two weeks to make way for the Pestabola Merdeka, which will see Junior Eldstal playing for Harimau Muda A.
-Image shows Bobby being congratulated after scoring his first goal. More images at our FB page.
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