USM fails to sparkle
by Ronnie Oh (the Star) Photo by K.E. OOI
LADY luck once again deserted Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) FC when they faced Malacca in the return leg of the Premier League match at their own turf in Penang on Friday.
The two teams battled to a 2-2 draw in a match which the varsity side should have won.
USM brought on three new signings — goalkeeper Suhardy Alby, defender Mohd Fariss Azlan and attacking midfielder Elias Sulaiman — after a disastrous first round with a desire to avenge their 1-0 defeat at the Hang Tuah Stadium on April 19. But they did not seize the chances that came their way.
Elias, a top marksman for Penang’s Division One champion Kampong Seronok, almost became an instant hit when he nearly scored from a free kick.
Tight marking: USM’s Muhammad Afzan Zainal Abidin (left) and Malacca’s Mohd Hafis Mamat battling for the ball during their Premier League meet.
The midfielder’s dipping shot from a dead ball situation forced Malacca keeper Mohd Asil Syafiq to topple into his own goal in a bid to keep the ball out. Fortunately for the visitors, the ball went just inches off the mark.
Shortly after, Elias, who was always in the thick of action, came close to putting his name on the scoresheet when he let fly a hefty right footer which flew just wide off the Malacca goal.
The midfielder then twice later saw his attempts stop by the cross bar in the 17th minute and the 32nd minute,
USM however were not to be denied the lead in the 36th minute and Elias had a hand in it. He freed Mohd Afzan Zainal Abidin with a telling pass and the speedy striker confidently chipped it past an advancing Mohd Asil.
Malacca silenced the partisan home fans when Abdul Latiff Suhaimi headed in the equaliser deep into injury time of the first half.
When the visitors took the lead after resumption with Rafie Katin slotting home from a melee, the university side was left stunned.
Egged on by the home crowd, USM raised their game. They managed to knock home the equaliser in the 88th minute and it came from Elias, who beat an offside trap, to give USM the draw and a precious point.
For USM, they need to do better to further haul themselves away from the relegation zone in an away match against Pos Malaysia on Monday.
They are now on 10th spot in the 12-team league with eight points from two wins, two draws and eight losses – just ahead of Johor’s Muar FC, who were edged by a solitary goal against league leaders Felda United, on better goal difference.
Felda United are leading the race with 28 points while Shahzan Muda are languising at the bottom of the table with four points.
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