Selangor was unsuccessful to capitalise on the home advantage against Terengganu. The match ended up in a draw. The Red Giants wasn’t able to get ahead of Pahang.
The only MSL match of the week occurred last night at Shah Alam, between second-placed Selangor and fifth-placed Terengganu. The homeside badly needed a win to get ahead of the league leader, Pahang but failed to do so.
The Red Giants began with their usual suspects save for centreback Stilianos Pantelidis, though their fans were made to sit tight for the Selangor introduction of teen sensation Nazmi Faiz, who was signed throughout the April transfer break.
The visitors then began with Norfarhan Muhammad and Dabo Moustapha up front, inasmuch as second goalkeeper Shamirza Yusoff remained in for Sharbinee Alawi, who was injured.
The spectators waited for 21 minutes for the first opportunity to show up, emulating a senseless challenge by Selangor skipper Bunyamin Moustapha on Dabo.
The resulting freekick evaded Selangor's backline however not Terengganu centreback Vincent Bikanna, who dove to get a touch with his head.
Goalkeeper Farizal Marlias reacted just as well to tip the ball over.
By the half hour mark, despite the fact that the home side had the lion's share of ownership, it was the visitors who were more perilous with the rest of the posession, wanting to stay back and hold up for the ideal time to launch into a counterattack.
Towards the end of the first half, Indonesian winger Andik Vermansyah stepped up on his game with his trademark wing runs for Selangor's counterattacks, which were so hot it was not possible be took care of by the Turtles' defence. He was fouled over and again, bringing about two bookings to the visitors.
Terengganu almost had a chance to get ahead in the game as the game resumed during the second half, when Moustapha was discharged through a throw in the Selangor punishment box. Yet his efforts to chip the ball over Farizal headed over the bar instead.
Eight minutes later in the second half, the visitors came close again, when Ismail Faruqi squared the ball into the box unmarked, yet Farizal was again fit to repel the cross out.
At long last the Red Giants fans got what they desired when in the 61st minute mark of the game, Nazmi was brought in for Thamil Arasu, who had been insufficient all throughout the match.
After 10 minutes, Rangel was set up by a lay off from the teen sensation, yet his shot failed to hit the target.
The match ended with a 0-0. Selangor remained second on the league’s table after missing the chance to get away with three points from their home advantage.
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