It’s full points for the Crocs

WINNING STRIKE: Sarawak’s striker Bobby Gonzales (red) executes a scissor kick, scoring the second goal, as Pulau Pinang SDM Navy defender Rosley Wasli No4 watches helplessly during their second home Premier League match played at the Sarawak Stadium. — Photo by Johnathan Bullet

FORCE TO RECKON WITH: Sarawak striker Bobby Gonzales (red) heads the ball during their second home match at the Sarawak Stadium yesterday.

Bobby Gonzales

KUCHING: Bobby Gonzales double goals and one from skipper Zamri Morshidi gave Sarawak a comfortable 3-0 home win over PP SDM Navy at the Premier League match held at State Stadium yesterday but head coach Mohd Zaki Sheikh Ahmad was a little far from satisfied with the result.

“I am happy about the result, but we have got to sharpen more. This is just an early game of the season and we will have a few away games and the FA Cup coming all the way,” he said when met after the game.

An estimated 7,000 Ngap Sayot fans once again filled the stadium and they did not go home empty-handed as Sarawak kept continuing bringing onslaught to the Navy half.

The Ngap Sayot team captain opened the score the in 7th minute after receiving a brilliant split-pass through the defender and he did not hesitate to tap the ball pass Navy keeper, Safril Hafizzie Safari.

Sarawak almost made it two nil in the half but Gonzales ferocious header in the 20th minute of the game was luckily saved by Hafizzie.

Gonzales once again terrorised the Navy goal post in the 32nd minute when he brilliantly did some spectacular scissor kick attempt to beat Haffizie for the second time but his effort was denied by woodwork.

However his effort finally paid dividends three minutes before half-time when the Sabah-born striker received a fine header from winger Azizan Saperi from a right flank corner kick and blasted home to give Sarawak 2-0 cushion.

“We played well in the first half. All the players did what had been told to do. In the second half of the game, we lost a bit of a rhythm. We did a little passing in the middle of the park. Compared to the first half, the middle passes were fine and the goals came from there,” added Zaki.

However, the head coach said judging from the game, he was pleased to see some improvement in the defence line compared to the last game against Harimau Muda.

“In the Navy game, they played quite tight and work well with each other, I am pleased with what I saw.” he said. Zaki was comparing the game against Harimau Muda last Friday, saying that his defenders were lost and not aggressive enough, by letting too much space for their opponents.

After the breather, the Ngap Sayot had a slow game and managed to keep the Navy at bay.

Gonzales sealed the winning goal when he caught Navy defenders off guard after receiving a pass from substitute Mohd Shahrol Saperi.

He calmly tabbed the ball into the open goalmouth to give full points for the Crocs.

Sarawak collected seven points from three matches and scored tens goals while conceding three.

Gonzales is top scorer for the team with four goals followed by skipper Zamri Morshidi with three goals.

Sarawak will play Armed Forces on Feb 19 in the FA Cup tie at Selayang Stadium before meeting KL Post Malaysia (Feb 25) and MP Muar (Feb 28) on the away game.