RHB survive 10-man MBF Cards fightback
RHB survive 10-man MBF Cards fightback
0 Comments | New Straits Times, Jul 10, 2010 | by Devinder Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Bank withstood a gallant fightback from 10-man MBF Cards to claim a 2-1 win in a Kuala Lumpur Premier Division match at the Hospital ground last Sunday.
MBF Cards nearly snatched a point after being a man and two goals down with 25 minutes remaining but saw V. Suresh Kumar’s penalty minutes from the end saved by RHB Bank goalkeeper Azhari Zawawi.
RHB were cruising to victory thanks to a brace by Syukri Zakaria but the red card shown to J. Thilagan in the 65th minute only served to galvanise MBF Cards into action.
They reduced the deficit through skipper Rizal Jamil seven minutes later and had several chances to draw level before Anwar Khan Dulah was pushed to the ground in the penalty area and MBF Cards were handed a life line in the 87th minute.
Azhari was going the wrong way but stopped Suresh’s penalty with his legs before watching Suresh put the rebound wide as RHB escaped with the win.
RHB captain Hafiz Khazali said they were lucky to get away with a victory after coming under intense pressure in the closing minutes.
“We were a little disorganised after the red card and came under huge pressure. They pushed us all the way and we were lucky to come away with the win,” said Hafiz, who played for the Federal Territories in the recent Malaysia Games.
MBF’s veteran playmaker S
last minute cruise