Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kota Bharu: AFC Cup 2012 quarter-finalists Kelantan were officially crowned champions of the Malaysian Super League after a thrilling 3-1 victory over Sarawak at home at Sultan Mohammad IV Stadium, Kota Bharu, on Saturday.
They had won the championship, their second Malaysian Super League (MSL) title in a row, when they still had two more games to go after thrashing Perak 6-0 also at home on July 7.
Already off the pressure, the Red Warriors went on to play Felda United away in Melaka three days later to whom they lost 1-0, cutting their string of 24 straight unbeaten matches.
But Kelantan bounced back in the last league match against Sarawak which proved to be a thrilling pinnacle of their campaign with all four goals scored in the second half, confirming Kota Bharu as ‘The Fortress’, a nick name given by fans and media as they have never lost at home throughout the MSL season.
The second half commenced with the visitors showing better organisation through their midfield machinery led by Guy Bwele and it almost bore fruit when an interesting combination of moves by Mohammad Dzulazlan Ibrahim and Joe Epalle successfully breached Kelantan’s defence but the 56th minute try was smartly denied by goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi.
The Kelantan goalie’s mettle was soon again tested a minute later but he managed to swipe a strike by Crocs’ winger Ashri Chuchu from 25 metres.
However, the long-awaited goal came after 61 minutes when Kelantan’s Mohammad Badri homed in his penalty kick from outside the box right onto the right post to draw first blood.
Four minutes later, Mohd Norfarhan Muhammad doubled the scoring for the Golden Deer after taking in Norshahrul Idlan’s pass and striking it home past Sarawak goalkeeper Saiful Amar right through the middle of goal.
The East Malaysians remained under pressure when Mohd Norfarhan Muhammad scored number three for Kelantan only two minutes later through a Saiful Amar error who rushed away from his position and was promptly punished by an easy high ball by Mohamad Norfarhan after receiving a distant feed from Mohammad Badri.
Sarawak got their consolation goal in the 69th minute when Guy Bwele’s free kick was headed by Mohd Hairol Mokhtar into Khairul Fahmi’s goal.
Kelantan are now eyeing a third title, the AFC Cup, to better their double -- the Malaysia Cup they clinched in May and the MSL.
The AFC Cup Malaysian representatives will face Iraq League’s leader Arbil away at Francouse Al Hareeri Stadium on 18th of September. The second of the double-header quarter-finals is slated for September 25 at the Sultan Mohammed IV Stadium, Kota Baru.
Pic: Kelantan FA