Selangor was able to keep up with the front-runners after a 2-1 victory at home to Sarawak thanks to Victor Astafei and the returning Francis Forkey Doe while Mateo Roskam scored for the visitors
Sarawak had the first chance of the game after two minutes when Lee Jong-Ho tees up Kamaruddin Bohan, whose shot from just outside the box went over the goal.
Two minutes later, Selangor played a short corner and Saiful’s cross produced a chance for Rizal Fahmi who couldn’t keep his header down despite being in front of goal.
Then, Sarawak produced their first big chance on the 6th minute. Tommy Mawat’s corner was headed by captain Ronny Harun, only for the ball to hit under the bar and Hairol Mokhtar fluffled his control of the ball with goal at his mercy.
It was only two minutes later when Sarwak had another huge chance. Rahim Razak’s low cross found Mateo Roskam unmarked and the big Croatian’s shot also hit under the bar.
Juliano Mineiro then had a shot at goal after a good run from Syahmi Safari. Hie effort from the right however was weak and easy for Shahril Saa’ri to catch the ball.
On the 16th minute, Sarawak launched a swift counter-attack and Mohd Khairulazhan had to go down to parry away Tommy’s low shot from the left.
Six minutes later, Selangor took the lead. Despite the pressure, Mineiro was able to cross from the left and it was deflected into the path of Astafe who was just in front of goal far post as his header hit the inside of the post and went in to send the Selangor fans in celebration.
Selangor though could’ve got a penalty on the 34th minute when Saiful Ridzuwan seemed to be tripped by Hairol just as he is about to receive Mineiro’s backheel pass, only for the referee to wave it away.
Four minutes after the restart, Selangor doubled their advantage. Mineiro’s free-kick from the right found Forkey Doe, who rose highest to put the Red Giants two up.
Mineiro though goes for a goal himself after setting up the two goals, but his low shot from outside was tipped away by Shahril.
On the 74th minute, substitute Mark Hartmann spurned a glorious chance when Roskam chipped the ball for the Philippines international. Somehow, he headed the ball to the post with only a few yards in front of goal and only the keeper to beat.
However, Sarawak did get their goal when Roskam chested the ball down from Ronny’s long pass and shoots past Khairulazhan. However, it only proved to be a consolation as Selangor held on for the three points while Sarawak remains in the relegation zone.
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