Sarawak football team started their pre-season playing tour in Bandung, Indonesia on a positive note with a 1-0 hard fought win over the Mutiara Hitam , a Jakarta based team at Bandung’s Gunung Boong Stadium, yesterday.
A solitary goal from striker Khairul Azahar Eidros in the 36th minute of the first half was enough for the Crocs to defeat their opponent made-up of professional African players who are currently without and waiting for a contract in Indonesia.
Some are former national players from various countries in Africa and they play high level of football.
“In the first half we played Saiful Amar between the posts, Ramesh Laiban Huat, Hairol Mokhtar, Yosri Dema Raju, Sahran Abdul Samad and Mazwandi Zekaria in defence while Dzulazlan Ibrahim, Sharol Abdul Malek, Ronald Dennis and Azizan Saperi in midfield. The strikeforce consist Khairul Azahar Eidros and Benedict Martin.
The players responded well against the strong physical team. Credit to our young midfield that won many balls and especially Sharol Malek did a great job. We could play better with the flanks and more forward thinking”, told Coach Robert Alberts.
Sarawak’s goal in the 36th minute came off a great counter attack that was initiated by defender Mazwandi Zekaria, who played a good through-ball to Benedict Martin who was running forward behind the defense and he cleverly passed to Khairul Azahar in the box who tapped it in past the despairing dive of the Mutiara Hitam goalkeeper.
The first half ended in 1 -0.
“On the second half we started with Sani Kamsani in goal while Fareez Tukijo, Mohd Hairol Mokhtar/Yosri Dema Raju, Mazwandi Zekaria holding the fort and Rashid Aya, K Rajan, Azizan Baba and Asri Chuchu controlling the park. The duo of Ravindran Krishnan and Zamri Morshidi played the striker role,” said Alberts.
“The players dominated the match with good combination on attacks with some great scoring opportunities. Good width and depth and strong midfield control where Azizan Baba distributed the balls well,” commented Alberts.
He added that overall it was a good start as both set of players tried to play good combination football and had a positive attitude towards the match.
“It was the first real test for the players and I was satisfied with the overall outcome.
Unfortunately Sharol Saperi could not join the team to Bandung as his daughter fell sick before departure and Sarawak’s two-foreign signings striker Kalle Sone and midfielder Guy Bwele could not make it in time after their visas was approved late. But now they are in Bandung and will play the next match against another local outfit, Saint Prim FC, this coming today,” said Alberts.
Sarawak will next meet PERSI FC on Dec 8 and complete their series of friendly matches in Bandung, Indonesia with a game against PERSIKAB FC on Sunday, Dec 11.
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