USM FC back on track
copied from RONNIE OH (the Star)
Photos (below) by CHIN CHENG YEANG
UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) FC’s new signings paid dividends when they outgunned the Police team 4-1 at the USM Stadium in their Premier League campaign on Friday.
The win made sure USM stayed a rung above the relegation zone.
Except for basement side, Shahazan Muda of Pahang, who were handed a 4-0 beating by Armed Forces, strugglers like Muar MC and Malacca pulled off stunning wins in their home matches.
Muar shocked a more fancied Harimau Muda by a solitary goal at the Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Johor Baru while Malacca edged Pos Malaysia 3-2 at the Hang Tuah Stadium.
Ball control: Penang USM’s Muhammad Afzan Zainal Abidin surrounded by several PDRM players during their premier league match at USM stadium.
Even League leaders Felda United were not spared with Sarawak walking tall at the State Stadium in Kuching to march out with a 1-0 win.
Thus for USM, the deserving victory which was their third in their campaign after 15 outings, was most timely.
And the player who was most instrumental in making sure that USM were back to winning ways was new signing Elias Sulaiman.
The attacking midfielder, a top marks man for Penang Division One champion Kampong Seronok, scored a brace and also had a hand in Mohd Fauzan Zainal Abidin’s two goals.
Police’s lone reply came from the penalty spot through Mohd Ibrahim Ismail.
Goalkeeper Suhardy Albi, whose neat saves often kept the Police raids at bay, was also instrumental in USM’s win.
USM’s hunger for an outright win from the start had the Police side buried deep in defence for long spells.
Despite Elias, Mohd Fauzan and Mohd Afzan Zainal Abidin punching holes at the Police defence, they just could not deliver the goal until the 21st minute when Mohd Fauzan scored.
Police, who themselves were denied the equaliser at the stroke of half time after an Eddy Gapil goal was ruled offside, did draw level on the hour after USM defender Azizan Saari was penalised for having handled the ball inside the box.
However their joy proved shortlived as Elias regained USM’s lead five minutes later. It was all over for Police when Mohd Fauzan and Elias, doubled their contribution in the 79th and 87th minutes respectively.
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