PETALING JAYA, Sept 29 – It as not been smooth sailing with several off field distractions but Sarawak United is sitting on the top of Group A in the Malaysia Cup after snatching a 1-0 win over Sri Pahang at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam on Wednesday.
The win comes in the wake of their 3-1 win over Penang FC at the City Stadium in Georgetown in their opening match on Sunday.
On Wednesday, the energetic Tommy Mawat scored the winner against Pahang to hand the Elephants their second defeat in as many matches after losing to Kuala Lumpur City FC 3-1 in the first match.
Tommy drilled home a power shot off an assist from Sandro Mendonca that was too hot to handle for Pahang goalkeeper Zarif Irfan.
The goal came on the hour mark after both teams had missed scoring opportunities in the first half.
The win took the Golden Hornbills to the top of the group with a six points after Kuala Lumpur City could only share the spoils against Penang at the City Stadium with Colombian Romel Morales getting the equalizer deep into injury time.
Penang scored first through their Tajikistan import Sheriddin Boboev in the 77th minute before the City Boys denied the Panthers with a last grasp shot that rolled into the KL net. KL is second in the group with four points and Penang third with one point. Pahang is at the bottom without a point.
Not to crow about the win over Pahang, Sarawak United head coach E. Elavarasan described it as “we took our chances” for the three points that will serve as a morale booster for the coming matches.
“The Malaysia Cup journey is a long way to go and we have to be prepared for tougher matches from now on. This is only the first round…but I am happy with the way the team has shown commitment and determination to remain unbeaten after two matches,” said Elavarasan.
The Malaysia Cup, which is 100 years old this year, takes a break after Thursday’s matches for a one month break for international assignments. Sarawak United’s next match is against KL City at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras on Oct 30.
Former national coach B. Satiananthan, who is now the Sarawak United technical director, said: “The magic words are ‘hard work’ and success comes with it. It has been a good start to the Malaysia Cup but we are aware that the team will be the target of our rivals when the competition resumes.
Elavarasan has given the team a week’s break from training.
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