ELDSTAL’S NIGHTMARE
Striker’s mistake led to Darul Ta’zim’s third defeat of the season
DEVINDER SINGH devinder@nst.com.my
JUNIOR Eldstal had a night he would rather forget after being at fault for Felda United’s opening goal before getting sent off early in the second half of Darul Ta’zim’s 3-2 defeat in a Super League match in Shah Alam on Thursday.
Super League champions Darul Ta’zim, with little riding on the result after wrapping up a fourth consecutive title, lost for only the third time in 21 league outings.
Coach Ulisses Morais blamed individual errors for his side’s capitulation despite fielding his strongest line-up.
“The players started well and we also had several chances to score goals but due to several individual mistakes, we were punished,” said Morais.
“I had to wait until half-time so that I could talk to the players about their playing style, which was not how I wanted it to be.
“The players started the second half better and managed to score a goal but it was still not satisfactory. It got more difficult when Junior was sent off and the team had to play with 10 men.”
A poor backpass by centreback Eldstal gifted the ball to Thiago Augusto Fernandes, who rounded goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli before rolling into an empty net for Felda’s opening goal.
But Eldstal redeemed himself by heading in Darul Ta’zim’s equaliser before Fernandes set up Ifedayo Omosuyi to put Felda 2-1 ahead just before the break.
Two minutes into the second half, Eldstal was sent off for a lunge on Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor before a Gonzalo Cabrera thunderbolt drew Darul Ta’zim level again.
But Fernandes took advantage of hesistancy in the Darul Ta’zim defence to bag the winner with 14 minutes remaining as Felda moved into third place in the standings.
“For me, it was our own mistakes because the players knew how Felda play,” added Morais.
“We had many chances and the players also worked hard to try to make it 3-3. But it’s alright because it was still a good match.
“For now we need to forget about this defeat because we only have 15 days before facing Perak in the Malaysia Cup semi-finals.
“Regarding Junior, I don’t want to discuss any individual mistakes in the team because if we win, we win together and if we lose, we lose together. I am aware that we made mistakes, and we accept the consequence.
Felda coach B. Sathianathan said his team were fortunate to come away with three points after Safiq Rahim twice hit the woodwork for Darul Ta’zim.
“We were a bit lucky because they hit the woodwork twice and had quite a few chances,” he said.
“We also had our chances but I want my players to be more focused when leading. We lost possession too often but then Darul Ta’zim are a quality side.”