Perak came out victors in a pulsating match against Southern rivals, Johor with a 2-1 win at the Perak Stadium. Perak could have drawn the game as Johor pressured the team in the last 5 minutes of the game.
Perak had to make do without their 5 suspended players. Akmal Rizal Rakhli, Skipper, Shahrulnizam Mustapha, Nasril Nourdin, Azmeer Yusoff and Mohd Syazwan Roslan were not in the team sheet as they have been penalised with a 7 game ban.
A meager 3000 fans converged at the stadium and most of them were unhappy of FAMs decision. They unfurled banners ridiculing the main footballing body in Malaysia.
Perak's two loan signing, Mohd Rafiuddin Roddin and Mohd Failee Ghazali made their home debut yesterday. Brought from Harimau Muda A and USM respectively, they have been tasked to re-energize the squad after the suspension of the players.
For the first ten minutes of the game, the game was a drabby affair as tackles started to fly in and most of the players were taking time to acclimatize themselves with the pitch conditions.
Failee Ghazali drew first blood in the 12th minute when he connected with Noor Hazrul Mustafa's cross from set piece. However, he placed his shot in front of Johor's keeper, Syamim Othman.
Failee, who impressed in the game was a constant menace for the Johor defence. In the 20th minute, 23 year old Syafiq Jamal could have been more clinical in front of goal as he was presented with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock but Johor's keeper was quick to nullify him.
Perak's midfield pairing Mohd Nazri Kamal and Wan Hossein Wan Abdul Ghani were working their socks off to create chances.
Fazrul Hazli, former Proton FC player impressed in the 2nd half but his final ball disappointed him. His mazy runs and dribbling caught the Johor defence off guard many times.
In the 28th minute, Perak broke the deadlock after a thunderous finish by loan signing Failee Ghazali drew a rapturous response from the crowd. A brilliant through ball by Nazri Kamal ensured that Failee got his first goal for Perak.
After that goal, Johor were in shambles and Fazly Muhammad's reckless tackle on young Fazrul Hazli got him a needless yellow card.
Perak could have gotten themselves a penalty in the 35th minute as Noor Hazrul shot hit one of Johor's defenders but the referee ignored their calls and continued with the game.
Perak went all guns blazing in the 2nd half as 22 year old Rafiuddin Roddin kept the momentum going in the 2nd half, only to see Failee unable to connect with his brilliant pass.
In the 46th minute, Johor started to assert themselves as they got their first chance of the game through Mohd Azuwad. However, he placed his shot wide after a brilliant piece of run by him.
In the 52nd minute, Rafiuddin again impressed when his free kick was well placed to hit the goal only to Syamim tipping the ball over the bar.
Syafiq Jamal, who was impressive during pre season, could have scored when he jinked away from Johor defenders and goalkeeper but his placed shot hit the bar.
Syamim Othman proved to be villain of the game when he gave away a penalty in the 72nd minute after fouling Failee in the penalty box. Not happy with the decision, he confronted referee, Syed Azhar Syed Kamar and his temper got the better of him as he tugged the referee's jersey.
Syafiq Jamal buried his shot from the spot and the fans become even more boisterous. To sum up Syamim's day, he was subbed in the 75th minute with reserve goalkeeper Mohd. Amirul.
After the penalty, Johor dominated the game and could have got themselves a goal in the 78th minute when Mohd Shoufiq's free kick was tipped over the bar by Perak's 22 year old goalkeeper, Kamarul Effendi.
In the 88th minute, Johor broke their deadlock through Mohd Azuwad as he capitalised on a defensive mistake by Perak.
After the goal, Johor begun to pressure Perak and the defense had many nervy moments while combating the onslaught by Johor's defence.
The moment the final whistle was blown, Perak conquered against their southern rivals and they share the top spot with Borneo side, Sabah who beat Kedah in another game.
Khairi Zainuddin, Perak's stand in skipper stated that the players will have to improve themselves game by game if they want to qualify themselves for the next stage.
He also stated that the team will be fully utilised as the will be rotating the squad in order for other players to get their chance for stardom in the Malaysia Cup.
Perak's coach, Norizan Bakar. congratulated the players for getting the three points. He said that without the 5 players, the other players have rose to the challenge and played well against Johor.
When asked about the frantic last 5 minutes of the game, the man known as 'Cikgu Jan' stated that the lapses of concentration do happen in games and he saluted the players for showing their commitment towards the game.
Perak's next game will be against Northern region rivals, Kedah in a pulsating match at the Perak Stadium on the 13th of September.
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