PETALING JAYA, July 18 – Premier League leaders Sarawak United were denied full points against Selangor FC II as the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw in a postponed first-round match played at the Manjung Stadium in Perak on Saturday.
It was a match in which referee Mohamad Faizzuddin Ismail made a mess in his decision to award Selangor II a penalty for handball when the ball is clearly seen hitting Sarawak defender Zahril Azri Zabri’s face. It is learnt that the referee later admitted to some players that he made a mistake in awarding the penalty.
The spot kick in the 50th minute saw Selangor’s Ghanaian import George Attram score the equaliser in the late afternoon match.
The match was postponed from April 7 due to bad weather at the Selayang Stadium.
It was heartbreak for the Golden Hornbills but the Sarawak outfit remained on the top of the league standings with 24 points from 11 matches with strong challengers Negeri Sembilan a rung below on 22 points.
Sarawak United grabbed the lead four minutes into added time before the half-time break through their top scorer Uche Agba.
The Nigerian showed brilliant football skills when he trapped a long ball from South Korean midfielder Lee Chang Hoon before putting the finishing touches.
It was a tough match for Sarawak United who had to endure zoom training due to the Movement Control Orders (MCO). Sarawak United were also hampered by the loss of skipper and central defender Taylor Regan.
The towering Australian was ruled out of the match when he took a hard knock during a friendly match against Kuala Lumpur last week.
Sarawak United chief coach E. Elavarasan was disappointed with the stalemate that robbed his team of full points but praised his players for their guts and determination.
“It is clear that we were robbed of three points…but to be champions you have to go through the ups and downs with such happenings in football.
“We did not have the best of preparations for the match due to the MCO but my players gave their best in trying condition,” said Elavarasan.
Sarawak United next play Perak FC 2 at home while Selangor FC 2 will be away to Negeri Sembilan on July 24.
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