Cats win in Penang to climb to 2nd in Super League

KUCHING (March 15): Gabriel Nistelrooy Tamin emerged as the hero as Kuching City FC edged Penang FC 1-0 at City Stadium on Saturday night to hand the Sarawakian side all three points and lift them to second place in the Super League league standings.

Both teams began the match cautiously, probing each other’s defensive lines in the opening exchanges. The breakthrough came five minutes before half-time when Nistelrooy capitalised on a lapse in the Penang defence and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to give Kuching City the lead heading into the break.

Penang, playing in front of their home supporters, attempted to stretch Kuching City’s defence by using width and delivering high balls into the penalty area but the Kuching backline remained well organised to keep the hosts at bay.

After the interval, Penang stepped up attacking efforts in search of an equaliser. They created several promising chances but were denied by a combination of wasteful finishing and solid goalkeeping from the Kuching City custodian Haziq Nadzli.

Despite sustained pressure from the home side in the closing stages, Kuching City held firm defensively to preserve their narrow advantage until the final whistle.

The victory moves Kuching City up to second place in the Malaysia Super League table with 40 points from 19 matches, behind leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).

Selangor FC and Kuala Lumpur City FC are both just one point adrift the Cats and could potentially alter the standings depending on their results over the next 24 hours.

Penang, meanwhile, remain ninth with 19 points from 19 matches.

Historically, meetings between the two sides have been closely contested. In their last 13 encounters, Kuching City have won five times, Penang three while five other matches ended in draws.

The teams met earlier this season in the Malaysia Cup Round of 16 when Penang won the first leg 1-0 before Kuching City responded with a 2-0 victory in the return leg to progress on aggregate.

Last night’s result marks Kuching City’s second consecutive victory over Penang.