The “Red Giants” brought the fire, but the Melaka backline refused to burn! Melaka FC and Selangor FC played out a gritty 0-0 draw in the Liga Super Malaysia 2025/26 at Hang Jebat Stadium, Krubong.
While the scoreline suggests a quiet affair, the reality was a high-octane battle of the goalkeepers. Both Firdaus Irman and Kalamullah Al-Hafiz turned in Man-of-the-Match performances to ensure their respective clean sheets remained intact.
Selangor, captained by the electric Faisal Halim, signaled their intent from the opening whistle. With the lethal duo of Alvin Fortes and Chrigor Moraes leading the charge, the visitors dominated possession early on.
Alvin Fortes found space on the edge of the area and unleashed a trademark curler, but the ball agonisingly whistled past Firdaus Irman’s post.
The home side wasn’t just spectators. Tall striker Ahmed Shamsaldin rose highest to a goal-bound header, only to be denied by a world-class reflex save from Selangor’s Kalamullah Al-Hafiz.
Despite a late first-half rocket from Mukhairi Ajmal that tested the structural integrity of the advertising boards, the teams went into the break deadlocked.
The intensity cranked up after the restart as both sides went “all-out” for the winner. Selangor coach rolled the dice, introducing Victor Pernambuco to add more flair, but Melaka’s defensive shape held firm.
Faisal Halim terrorized the flanks, creating multiple openings, but Melaka’s Firdaus Irman was in inspired form, claiming every cross and smothering every loose ball.
Melaka looked to snatch a late winner on the counter-attack through Ruventhiran and Shahrel Fikri, but Kalamullah once again proved why he is one of the league’s best, producing a clutch save in the dying minutes to preserve the point.
Credit Photo : SFC
