KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak futsal team triumphed over Johor with a 4-1 victory in the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
This match saw Johor struggle to find their footing, having failed to win any of their previous three matches, while Sarawak managed a draw against Perak and a narrow 3-2 win over Pahang in their earlier games.
The match kicked off with Sarawak’s captain, Mohd Azrin Shahmin Jefery, showcasing his skills and leading by example.
He opened the scoring in the third minute, setting the tone for Sarawak’s performance.
Johor was given a free kick due to an injury to one of their players, but Sarawak quickly capitalised on the situation.
Just three minutes later, Mohammad Aedel Izzwan Iswandi found the net, doubling Sarawak’s lead in the sixth minute.
Johor managed to respond when Doodie Al Fareq scored in the 14th minute after a defensive clearance.
As the first half progressed, both teams displayed aggressive play, with each side vying for possession.
With just 50 seconds left on the clock, the intensity ramped up as the home crowd erupted with cheers.
Sarawak was awarded a corner kick, but their attempt to score was thwarted.
In a dramatic finish, Sarawak’s Asyraff Zakaris scored a stunning goal with just two seconds remaining, weaving past two defenders to extend Sarawak’s lead.
The second half began with Johor nearly levelling the score in the 22nd minute when a shot hit the post, leaving Sarawak’s goalkeeper scrambling.
Johor’s efforts were met with a solid defence from Sarawak, particularly from Awang Irfan Shahreeza Awang Ahmad, who made a crucial save.
Sarawak’s Radziman Radzuan received a yellow card in the 26th minute for a desperate tackle, leading to his substitution.
Sarawak called for a timeout in the 30th minute to regroup. The team continued to press forward, earning a corner kick in the 33rd minute that almost resulted in another goal, hitting the right post.
As the match progressed, the aggressive play continued, with Johor showing some promise in ball control.
However, Sarawak’s Radziman scored the fourth goal in the 37th minute with an unexpected shot that sealed the match.
In the final moments, Sarawak maintained their offensive pressure with an attempt that soared over the goalpost. In the end, Sarawak’s performance was dominant, securing a well-deserved victory.
