KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak defeated Perak with a commanding score of 7-3 in the futsal competition of the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) at the Samarahan Indoor Stadium in a thrilling semifinal match.
This victory propels Sarawak into the finals, where they will face off against their next opponent on Friday (Aug 23).
The match kicked off with Sarawak quickly asserting dominance. Just three minutes in, a free kick awarded to Sarawak led to the opening goal by top scorer Asyraff Zakaris.
He doubled the lead shortly after, scoring again in the fourth minute.
Perak responded with a goal from Abdul Hadi Muhamad Azhan soon after, showcasing a solo effort from the left that beat Sarawak goalkeeper Mohammad Syukimi Farizan.
However, Sarawak regained control with a third goal from Mohammad Nazir Mahdini in the 10th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse by Perak.
Perak managed to find the net again with goals from Mohamad Amirul Aiman Mohamad Hamdan in the 12th minute and captain Matias Danisan in the 13th minute, closing the first half with a score of 3-3.
The second half saw a more aggressive Sarawak side. Perak’s Muhammad Haziyhidawi Mazlan received a yellow card for a foul on Sarawak’s Mohamad Azrin Shahmin Jefery, leading to a free kick.
Azrin’s clever pass to Asyraff resulted in Sarawak’s fourth goal in the 22nd minute.
As the game progressed, Sarawak continued to dominate, with Mohammad Zainulariffin Mohamad Zain scoring the fifth goal in the 29th minute.
Sarawak captain Mohamad Shahmi Suhardi added the sixth goal from a long-range attempt in the 39th minute.
In the dying moments, Mohd Nazwan Airul Mihd Haykal sealed the victory with Sarawak’s seventh goal, ensuring a resounding win for the home team.
Sarawak’s impressive performance not only secured their place in the final but also showcased their resilience and skill on the court.
This win is particularly sweet as Sarawak had previously drawn 4-4 with Perak in their group stage encounter.
