Sarawak to reassess strategy after unlucky narrow loss to Perak

MUKAH: Sarawak went down fighting, losing 0-1 to four-time champions Perak in the opening Group D action of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 men’s football competition at the Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) Field, here yesterday (Aug 12).

The hosts were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty.

Head coach Awangku Shahbuddin praised his players despite the narrow loss.

“We matched them well, but luck wasn’t on our side. We gave away a penalty and they scored. But I believe we were denied a penalty.

“That would have balanced the game. We’ll review the match before our next game,” he told reporters after the match.

Awangku said he will go back to the drawing board to address the team’s shortcomings.

In the second half, Sarawak captain Wesley Azcang was a constant headache to the Perak defence.

“We needed Wesley to create opportunities and he created several and at one point I thought the referee should have awarded us a penalty; it could have been 1-1.

The players followed our instructions well,” he said, adding they matched Perak in terms of technical abilities and skills.

“We had some chances and they (the players) managed to cope.”

Sarawak next face Federal Territory on Wednesday (Aug 14) at 4 pm. 

In another Group D match, Federal Territory secured a 1-0 victory over Pahang.

They were unlucky to register a big win in a game that they dominated at the Mukah Stadium. The winning goal came from striker Abdul Afiq Hilman Abdul Halim in the 54^th minute.

Asyraf Arwan (in blue and black stripes) vying for the ball.