Liga Super: Motika Rescues Point for Negeri Sembilan

Hosts come from behind to draw 1-1 in the rain at Paroi, with Sabah coach Torres sent off late on

Negeri Sembilan FC (NSFC) came from behind in the second half to draw 1-1 with Sabah FC in the Super League at Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Paroi, on Saturday night. A substitute’s penalty rescued the point.

NSFC named their strongest side, including national team forward Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, who is back from injury, and handed Wan Ahmad Kuzri Wan Ahmad Kamal his first appearance. The hosts started well and made several dangerous raids into Sabah territory. A wet pitch and continuous drizzle made life harder for both sets of players.

NSFC’s best chance of the first half came in the 29th minute. Luqman Hakim struck a powerful shot from inside the box that went just wide.

Sabah found their rhythm and went ahead right before half-time. In the 45th minute, Gonzalo Di Renzo was left unmarked in the box, and he easily put the ball past goalkeeper Muhamad Azri Ghani.

NSFC coach Daniel Gimenez Alcaniz’s side came out sharper in the second half and were rewarded in the 67th minute. A Sabah defender touched the ball inside the box, and after consulting VAR, referee Mohamad Farizudin Ismail awarded the penalty. Substitute Jovan Motika took it and beat Sabah goalkeeper Damien Lim to level the scores at 1-1.

The equaliser fired up the hosts, who pushed for a winner with wave after wave of attacks. Sabah suffered a blow in the 87th minute when head coach Juan Torres Garrido was shown a red card by Farizudin for what appeared to be dissent.

Alcaniz sent on new import striker Aboubakar Kamara for Luqman Hakim late in the game, but the change had no effect and the match finished level.

It is the second 1-1 draw between the sides in a row. They also shared the points at Sabah’s Likas Stadium in February, after NSFC had won 3-0 at home in September.

Credit Photo : NSFC