Majra FC Fight Back To Beat Seri Wira

Wednesday, 20 June 2012 08:24

Jake Ten

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Bandar Seri Begawan - Majra FC came back from a goal down to beat 10-man Seri Wira FC 4-1 at the Berakas Sports Complex in the first round of the DST FA Cup last night.

Newcomers Seri Wira shocked the DST League giants Majra United with the opening goal of the game, a long range screamer from Khairul Huzaiemie bin Arsat in the 33rd minute giving the underdogs the lead.

However, Azman bin Hj Lamit let his side down after he received his marching orders on the stroke of half time for a last man challenge. The ensuing free-kick was nothing too troubling but was deflected out for a corner. From the resulting corner, Noor Raimi Shahremy bin Karim rose highest to draw Majra FC level.

Mohd Ikmal Hakim bin Hj Mohd Yunnos put Majra FC ahead after he converted Abang Nor Silmy bin Abang Hj Taha's cross in the 52'd minute. The Majra FC forward doubled his tally 12 minutes later after beating the offside trap, and with his teammate Mohd Azwan bin Hassan screaming for the ball, the forward chose to go it alone, wrong-footing keeper Fahruddin bin Kamis and beating him at his near post.

Former DPMM FC defender, Abang Nor Silmy, put the result beyond doubt after the Seri Wira FC defence were caught napping once more, leaving the defender-cum-striker with the simple task of beating the keeper in a one-on-one situation.

Following the win, Majra FC assistant manager, Hj Mahadi, was relieved to see his side qualify for the next round, having trailed 1-0 just before the break.

"It was a tough game. We were trailing 1-0 and our mentality and mood was not good," remarked the assistant manager.

"Our strikers didn't finish their chances, so I made a change and played Abang (Nor Silmy) as a striker, and the change settled our team," added Hj Mahadi.

"Our opponents were good, and we were lucky they were playing with 10 men," said Hj Mahadi, who nominated midfield playmaker Mohd Ikmal Hakim as the man-of-the-match.

Majra FC were short of a number of key players which they had lost through injury, most notably national player Mohd Azri bin Zahari. "We didn't have our first choice strikers, so we had to play our substitute strikers today, and we were also missing Azri, who has a hamstring injury," explained Hj Mahadi.

Last night's other match saw MPKS Matan FC edge Sangsura FC 1-0 at the Belapan Track and Field Complex, Md Adzrin bin Timbang's solitary effort in the 35th minute was enough to ensure MPKS Matan FC qualified for the next round.
--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin