SUKMA: Sarawak’s 4-1 rout of Johor sends futsal team to quarter finals

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak’s futsal team has made a remarkable leap into the quarter-finals of the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA), showcasing their determination with a decisive 4-1 win over Johor last night (Aug 16).

The victory was a significant turnaround for Sarawak, who had previously faced setbacks against Johor, including defeats in the Johor Invitation Futsal Malaysia.

Head coach Mohd Faizal Zamri expressed his heartfelt thanks for the support from attendees and praised his team’s progress during the match which was held at Samarahan Indoor Stadium.

He admitted that their goal was to secure a win against Johor, acknowledging past defeats in both the group stage and the final of the Johor Invitation Futsal Malaysia.

“Actually, we were not as strong as Johor because we had previously faced Johor and lost twice in the Johor Invitation Futsal Malaysia.

“We returned from those matches, trained hard, and continued to learn. Thankfully, today’s match went in our favour.

“I want to express my sincere thanks to our supporters for their unwavering support, which helped us perform at our best,” he said during a post-match press conference.

Faizal said the team persevered in the tournament overcoming pressure and injury woes in the opening match against Perak.

However, the squad’s commitment to improvement was evident as they adapted their strategies and focused on their strengths.

Their second match with Pahang saw better performance, setting the stage for their confident display against Johor.

Meanwhile team skipper Mohamad Azrin Shahmin Jefery was elated with the team’s performance, saying: “Beating Johor 4-1 is a huge achievement for us. It’s fantastic to see our efforts paying off, and we’re excited to face Selangor next. We’ll give it our all.”

Sarawak’s top scorer Asyraff Zakaris, who dedicated his goals to his birthday celebration, added to the optimism, saying: “I’ll keep pushing to score more goals for Sarawak.”