Selangor FC’s struggles deepened as they fell 1-0 to Kuching City FC in their latest Liga Super Malaysia 2025/26 at Stadium Negeri, Kuching.
Fresh off a disappointing 4-2 loss to Bangkok United in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2), the Red Giants had targeted a bounce-back win in Kuching. Instead, it was the in-form Cats — who had crushed Brunei DPMM FC 7-1 in the FA Cup Round of 16 — who seized the points in front of their home crowd.
The opening 45 minutes saw Kuching City push forward through Danial Asri, Ronald Ngah Wanja, Ramadhan Saifullah, and Petrus Shitembi. Shitembi came closest in the 14th minute, but his shot was denied by Selangor goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz Mat Rowi.
A dramatic moment arrived in the 39th minute when Danial Amier Norhisham was initially shown a red card for a dangerous challenge on Alvin Fortes. However, after a VAR review by referee Tuan Mohd Yassin Tuan Mohd Hanafiah, the decision was downgraded to a yellow card.
With both sides unable to break the deadlock, the half ended goalless.
Selangor emerged after the break with more urgency. Chrigor Moraes almost broke through in the 48th minute, only to be denied by national keeper Haziq Nadzli, who later produced another fine stop against Fortes.
Seeking a breakthrough, both coaches made attacking changes. Aidil Sharin Sahak introduced naturalised Malaysian striker Jordan Mintah, while Katsuhito Kinoshi brought on Mohammad Abualnadi.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 68th minute when Shitembi’s clever pass set up Ramadhan Saifullah, who coolly slotted past Kalamullah to give the hosts the lead.
Moraes came agonisingly close to equalising for Selangor in the 80th minute, but his low strike was once again thwarted by Haziq. Despite late pressure from the visitors, Kuching held firm to claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
The result saw Kuching City leapfrog Selangor into fourth place, leaving the Red Giants slipping down the table after back-to-back defeats.
Selangor will now shift their focus to the Shopee Cup clash against BG Tampines Rovers on 24 September, while Kuching City prepare for their next Liga Super fixture against Imigresen FC on 28 September.
Credit Photo : SFC
