KUCHING: Sunday night’s game that started of seeing the first ten minutes showing much struggle from home team Sarawak United FC (SUFC) against the visiting team Ultimate FC, turned out to become a historical and monumental win for the home team.
The game that took place here at the Sarawak state stadium saw a great 7-0 win for Sathianathan’s men.
As Sarawak FC claimed the game in the 2nd half, defender Cambodian import Boris Kok who gave the first goal in the 9th minute set the mood for the hopeful fans present at the stadium. This also queued the first Ngap Sayot chants – a tune that has not been heard for quite some time – as Sarawak United qualified for the Super League with this early advantage. Winning was now no longer a doubt. The remaining first half saw a fair struggle from both teams.
Ranked 12th in the Super League, on Sunday night Sarawak United unleashed a showdown as they pounded Ultimate FC with goals nearly every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the game.
Just three minutes after halftime, at the 51st minute, team captain and striker Uche Agba gave the team’s second goal and marked a start of an exciting second half.
Striker Nur Shamie Iszuan Ismawi missed a shot after a well-received cross by teammate, Christie Jayaseelan Devasagayah in the 54th minute.
Shamie made sure that the third goal was for him to claim and sent the ball straight to the net at the 58th minute of the game, giving no chance for the goalkeeper Mohamad Firdaus Yusof to reach.
Though Ultimate FC did try to regain leverage, crossing passes and through passes within midfield they could not penetrate the Sarawak defence line. They were out-gamed as Sarawak United intercepted again and again.
Ulimate FC were starting to shake even more and began to play hard-ball that led to a foul in the penalty box.
Then in the 72nd minute Uche scored his second goal and gave his team the fourth goal as he took the penalty kick.
Only one minute later, Ahmad Khairil Anuar Ahmad Zamri ran like a sprinter to receive a long pass from midfield and changed the score from 4-0 score to 5-0 with a classy dribble and straight shot right into the net.
At the 81stg minute, striker Mohammad Zharmein Ashraf Ismail gifted his team with the sixth goal and set the score of a ‘national football’ reputability as in the recent match between Sarawak United FC, who were playing away against JDT, suffered a 6-0 loss.
With only five minutes left into the game, striker Koné Kouassi Francis from Togo gave Sarawak United their 7th goal with an assist by Uche.
The game continued till the end with classic Ngap Sayot chants from fans filling the air till the final whistle – with a huge 7-0 triumph.
Pleased with the team’s performance, assistant coach Ahmad Nurfaizal Patrick Abdullah expressed his satisfaction with the overall performance of his team.
“I am satisfied with all of my players’ effort and determination to achieve this victory. They have trained well and just now proved well that they are ready for the Super League,” Ahmad said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.
He added, “This is only the first chapter and from tonight’s match, there will be some minor changes of gameplay, strategy ( mostly on offence) and some tuning up to get them ready for the upcoming match in April,” said Ahmad while commenting that on Sunday night was just a preview of what Sarawak United will bring on in the Super League.
