LLRC FT Edge Wijaya FC 3-1

Saturday, 26 January 2013 08:05

Jake Ten

Bandar Seri Begawan - Wijaya FC slumped to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of LLRC FT after their only available goalkeeper Mund Nashruddi bin Selamat was forced to withdraw from the game with suspected respiratory issues.

Wijaya FC started off the brighter of the two teams, hitting the post from a free-kick, before Marhafiz bin Ahad scuffed his shot wide after some great play on the counter by Khalil bin Saab.

Md Airul Jafrey bin Md Norshaney missed his chance to put LLRC FT ahead against the run of play when he volleyed straight at the keeper from six yards out.

Md Helmie bin Md Noorazmi then stepped up to test Muhd Nashruddi with his half volley, but the keeper got down quickly to his right to tip the effort around the post.

Referee Omar bin Abdullah angered LLRC FT fans when he awarded a penalty to Wijaya FC after it was adjudged by one of the referee's assistants that an LLRC FT defender had handled inside the box.

Just as Zulkefly bin Duraman was placing the ball on the penalty spot, Goalkeeper Muhd Nashruddi went down at the other end, and received immediate medical attention, before reluctantly withdrawing from the match.

When play resumed, Zulkefly bin Duraman sent the LLRC FT keeper the wrong way to hand Wijaya FC a deserved lead in the 36th minute.

Muhd Nashruddi's replacement, outfield player Masuri Hayat Hj Alimin/ All Liman made a couple of decent stops before the break, but was unable to prevent Md Helmie bin Md Noorazmi's header from close range from crossing the line in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The striker was on the mark again just four minutes after the restart to turn the result on its head, before Md Azrul Ariffin bin Pg Matussin wrapped up the points for LLRC FT in the 71st minute.

Despite the win, LLRC FT remained in fifth place in the DST Super League standings with nine points after six games.

Najip FC will be looking to record an unlikely first point of the season tonight against Indera SC, who are locked in the fight to be king of the hill. Kick-off is at 8.15pm.
--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin