KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak emerged victorious against Pahang with a score of 3-2 in the men’s futsal Group B of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024.
The match showcased Sarawak’s strong performance, particularly in defence, as they thwarted numerous attempts from Pahang.
Sarawak wasted no time in taking control of the game, scoring their first goal just three minutes in through Mohd Nazir Mahdini.
This was quickly followed by a second goal from Asyraff Zakaris, who found the net in the fourth minute.
Radziman Radzuan added a third goal for Sarawak in the seventh minute, putting them firmly in the lead.
The second half saw Pahang attempting to claw back into the match.
Sarawak were awarded a free kick in the 23rd minute due to a foul, but Pahang nearly scored their first goal in the 25th minute, hitting the right post with a powerful shot.
Pahang’s Syazwan Zukri finally broke through Sarawak’s defence, scoring their first goal in the 27th minute.
However, the hosts’ defence held strong, with teammates stepping up to support each other and maintain their lead despite a shaky moment in the 29th minute.
A timeout called by Sarawak coach at the 30-minute mark allowed the team to regroup as the match began to even out.
Tensions rose in the 32nd minute when Sarawak’s Mohammad Aedel Izzwan Iswandi received a warning from the referee for aggressive play, a testament to his commitment as a defender.
Pahang’s Syazwan Zukri scored again in the 33th minute, bringing the score to 3-2, but Sarawak managed to maintain composure.
In the final minutes Sarawak held on to secure their first victory of the tournament.
Coach Mohd Faizal Zamri expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting that they managed to secure three important points despite Pahang being favoured to win.
He credited the players’ spirit and the support from fans as key motivators, adding that while they maintained their strategy, they made some changes to key players after the previous game, which contributed to Sarawak’s first victory.
“So far, we have put in our best effort during the first game because the opponents were more skilled at analysing our play. In the second half, we struggled to break through their defence.
“The opposing team has a coach with national futsal experience. However, we managed to prevent them from scoring too many goals,” he said.
Looking ahead, he expressed the team’s determination to win their next game against Johor, especially since they had faced them last month and were eager for a home victory.
Sarawak captain Mohd Azrin Shahmin Jefery echoed the same sentiment, saying, “Alhamdulillah, winning today is a result of our prayers and hard work. This victory is a bonus for us, and I feel satisfied. I hope we can continue to win in the next game.”
Sarawak will face Johor in their next match on Friday (Aug 16) at 8 pm.
