Wednesday, 05 December 2012 07:17
- Jake Ten
Having beaten Majra FC by the same score just under a month ago in the quarters, it was MS ABDB who started the brightest.
A corner from the left was cleared by an IKLS FC defender, but only as far as Pvt Mohammad Mazazizi, who let fly from just outside the D, beyond the reach of Mohammad Asanuddin, to hand MS ABDB a 19th minute lead.
It was a bitter blow for the side that had thumped MPKSM 15-0 in the first round of the tournament, and the goal clearly riled up the IKLS players and fans alike.
It would only get worse for the visitors, as on the stroke of half time, Pvt Mohd Nur iklmal bin Awg Damit went on a dazzling run, resulting in a shot inside the box which was palmed away by Mohammad Asanuddin, only as far as Pvt Mohammad Khairul Mee, who poached his side's second from just two yards out.
The IKLS FC head coach was visibly unhappy with the decision, after he felt that the MS ABDB attacker had scored from an offside position, eventually having to be escorted back to his seat, but it would not be long before he returned.
MS ABDB effectively sealed their berth in the final 19 minutes from time, as Pvt Budiman bin Jumat latched on to a pinpoint through ball, before opening his body to curl the ball around Mohammad Asanuddin and into the net. Pvt Muhamad Suhandi caused a further stir amongst the IKLS FC coaching staff when he handled outside the box. The goalkeeper was subsequently carded, and IKLS FC were awarded a free-kick, but they were unsatisfied, and having felt that the 27-year old should have received his marching orders, their frustrations were underlined when a fan lobbed a water bottle at the MS ABDB bench. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.
Substitute Ateraba @ Norman bin Hj Abd Rahman struck the lay off from the ensuing free-kick, the ball cannoning off the crossbar and over the line, perhaps serving as some consolation for the calls which IKLS FC felt should have gone their way.
MS ABDB team manager, Major Suhaimi, was pleased with the result, and insisted that his side had learnt their lesson from their encounters in the earlier rounds of the tournament.
"The advantage was towards us in terms of fitness, but we've learnt from previous matches, including the quarterfinals, that teams like to play defensively against us, so we explored the left and right flanks, and that's where the goals came from," remarked the team manager. "We were confident before the game, and we are pleased with the result, but we could have done better and maybe should have scored more goals," he added, having also felt that a couple of the altercations during the match had tainted his side's triumph.
Asked who he thought would be his side's final opponents come Monday, Major Suhaimi tipped Indera SC to edge MS PDB in tonight's semifinal fixture. "I think it will go to extra time, and Indera will win it, because they are more experienced. In terms of fitness, MS PDB has the edge, but regardless of who wins, we are ready to take on either team in the final."
--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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