Sarawak had to come back twice in a game they could have won but for a combination of dreadful defending and a lucky goal.
The sight of Vedran Muratovic on trial at Sarawak must have sped up Kalle Sone’s healing as he took his place in the starting line-up, making his debut to a crowd of 17,000 people. Guy Bwele shook off his hamstring injury but Sani Annuar Kamsani was once again called upon to replace the injured Saiful Amar Sudan.
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Negeri Sembilan found the net in the 30th minute. A harmless cross was poorly dealt with by Rasyid Aya as his bumbled clearance found Ahmad Shakir free on the penalty spot which he gladly blasted into the top corner. Rasyid had a chance to redeem himself when he was played in by a raking long ball from Guy but his anxiousness got the better of him as he shot sky high.
Sarawak started the second half without Yosri Derma Raju through injury as Shahran Abdul Samad took the field to partner Hairol Mokhtar in central defence. Sarawak couldn’t have wished for a better start as a typical overlapping run from Dzulazlan Ibrahim caused confusion in the Negeri Sembilan back-line and brought a rash challenge in the penalty box.
Kalle Sone was only too eager to take the spotkick. Placing the ball to the keeper’s left, delight on his face was evident to see as he raced to the security fences to celebrate his debut goal with the fans. He is probably playing to stay with the team with the transfer deadline looming in February and Vedran knocking on his door. If there were any lingering doubts about his potential usage to the team, they were dispelled in the 84th minute as he linked-up with Zamri Morshidi for Sarawak’s second equalizer. Zamri played a quick one-two with Kalle and dinked the return ball over an advancing Farizal Marlias.
Negeri Sembilan had earlier taken the lead for the second time in the game two minutes earlier in the 82nd minute from a deflected shot from Ahmad Shakir, his second of the game. A few fans that decided to leave right after that goal must have been kicking themselves once hearing the cheers to come two minutes later.
Sarawak 2 Negeri Sembilan 2
Guy Bwele had to come off midway in the second half with a probable aggravated hamstring. With injuries piling up, Robert Alberts must be thankful for the coming mini-break with Sarawak playing away at Perak on 8th February.
Man of the Match: Ashri Chuchu. His direct running on the left wing caused problems for Negeri Sembilan’s back four. Although not directly involved in any of the goals, his performance was a delight to watch.
Moan of the Match: With added time on the clock, Sarawak earned a corner kick but instead of going for the win, K Ravindran decided to waste time instead. Negative tactics when Sarawak should be pushing for maximum points at home. They remain a place off relegation; equal on points with Sabah with five points but have a better goal difference.
Waving TYT: Cheers as Acting Head of State Asfia Awang Nasar (please forgive me for not writing his full title as ideally, I’d like this post to be done by this year), who has been at all Sarawak home games thus far, decided to join in the Mexican wave.
