By Shikin Louis
KOTA SAMARAHAN, Aug 23: Thunderous chants and applause filled the Kota Samarahan Indoor Stadium today to console Sarawak’s futsal team after they lost the gold medal match to Selangor at the 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma).
The local team, despite losing to one of the tournament favourites and taking home silver, performed beyond expectations to reach the finals, the farthest they have ever come in Sukma’s history.
As they circled the arena at the end of the game, some of the players could be seen putting their palms together to apologise to their supporters.
In exchange, the spectators cheered them on and sang the Sarawak anthem, ‘Ibu Pertiwiku’.
During the match, Selangor scored its first goal through midfielder Danish Faiz Hashim in just one minute into the game.
Although Sarawak was given many chances for a free kick, Selangor managed to defend the score until the end of the first half.
Although the Sarawak team tried their best to defend their fort in the second half, Selangor scored another goal through defender Ahmed Haziq Haikal (36th minute).
The Sarawak futsal team comprised of Mohamad Azrin Shahmin Jefery (captain), Mohammad Syukimi Farizan, Mohammad Nazir Mahdini, Asyraff Zakaris, Awang Irfan Syahreeza Awang Ahmad, Mohamad Nazwan Airil Mohamad Haykal, Mohammad Aedel Izzwan Iswandi, Wan Danish Karman, Radziman Radzuan, Ahnaf Danish Farihin Ahmad, Mohamad Shahmi Suhardi, Mohamad Zainulariffin Mohamad Zain, Mohammad Safiq Hamzah and Muhammad Hakkim Akmal Muhammad Ayub.
Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) and Asajaya assemblyman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his wife, Datin Sri Zuraini Abdul Jabbar, were present to witness the match.
Also joining them were Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (Infrastructure Development) and Sadong Jaya assemblyman Datuk Aidel Lariwoo; and Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
For the record, Perak secured the bronze medal after winning against Penang 5-3 earlier this morning.
Futsal was first introduced in the 19th edition of Sukma in 2011, with Johor crowned as the champion after defeating Negeri Sembilan 1-0.
At that time, Sarawak only secured the bronze medal after beating Selangor 7-6.
In the following Sukma (2013), Penang became the champion after beating Kuala Lumpur 5-1, while Pahang defeated Johor 10-5 for the bronze.
The third and the last time futsal was contested at Sukma was in 2018 where the Federal Territory won the gold medal by winning against Terengganu 7-1 while Pahang settled for bronze after overpowering Perak 4-3. — DayakDaily
