Selangor striker prevents Kelantan from winning at new ‘home’

Selangor striker Safee Sali prevented Kelantan from beginning life at their new ‘home’ on a winning note after scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 Super League draw at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, last night.

Indra Putra Mahayuddin had put the East Coast side ahead in first-half injury time, only for the national striker to salvage a point for the Red Giants 10 minutes from the end.

Kelantan were forced to play their home tie in Kuala Lumpur after the FA of Malaysia (FAM) disciplinary board barred them from hosting matches at their Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru for the rest of the year.

But that did not stop the Kelantan fans, especially those in the Klang Valley, from lending their support to the Kijang.

Almost half of the estimated 15,000 supporters in the stadium were Kelantan fans.

The two teams started the day only separated by goal difference.

Former Selangor custodian Shahrizan Ismail started in the Kelantan goal in place of regular Halim Napi, who was suspended indefinitely by the Kelantan FA for his part in igniting the ugly scenes in Kota Baru last week.

The Red Giants were without talismanic skipper Mohd Amri Yahyah, who was serving a one-match suspension for collecting two yellow cards during the FA Cup semi-final match against Perlis in midweek.

There were few genuine scoring chances in the game, but it was still an entertaining affair with both sides adopting attacking approaches.

Selangor striker R. Surendren had the ball in the Kelantan net in the 33rd minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Indra got it right for Kelantan in first-half injury time.

The goal originated from a counterattack which began near Kelantan’s corner flag and continued down the length of the pitch.

The national midfielder ended the flowing move by executing a beautiful bicycle kick to beat Hamsani Ahmad in the Selangor goal.

Safee’s goal was equally impressive, with the striker shrugging off his marker before turning and volleying home past Shahrizan in one fluid move.