Saviour Chang-hoon
Korean keeps Police’s Cup hopes alive with crucial equaliser
PETALING JAYA: Police winger Lee Chang-hoon carried a minor ankle pain but insisted on playing the match against Selangor at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka.
And his wish came true when national coach E. Elavarasan fielded the South Korean in the second half after resting him in the first half.
The move paid off big time on Wednesday when Chang-hoon emerged as the hero for the Cops as he scored the equalising goal in the 87th minute by rounding off Selangor centreback Abdul Latiff Suhaimi and goalkeeper Khairul Azhan Khalid to help them hold Selangor to a 2-2 draw in their Group D match.
Earlier, Police took the lead through Uche Agba in 28th minute when he thumped a shot past Khairul Azhan, but the Red Giants fought back through Taylor Regan (68th) and Ifedayo Olusegun (80th), only to be undone by Chang-hoon’s goal.
Elavarasan said Chang-hoon has provided much-needed support for strikers Agba and Patrick Wleh but decided against fielding him as he was worried over the Korean’s niggling ankle problem.
“He wanted to start, but we told him no in the beginning. However when Selangor played aggressively in the first half, he insisted on helping,” said Elavarasan.
“I was worried, but he was spirited and prepared to do something.
“In the first 10 minutes, he was too deep and couldn’t initiate attacks but came alive in the last 10 minutes to score the important goal.”
The 32-year-old Chang-hoon has been one of the standouts for Police as he has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season.
Elavarasan said the draw means that every team in the group were now capable of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the competition.
“The draw is a good motivation for the boys because they are still in the running to qualify. In the next two games, we have to gain maximum points,” he said.
“The journey is still on. I cannot say I’m satisfied even though as a Premier League team, we’ve given bigger teams a run for their money.”
Police are third with five points, only a point behind Melaka and Selangor, who are first and second respectively. Felda United are bottom of the group with one point.
Meanwhile, Selangor coach B. Sathianathan admitted that Police defended and counter-attacked well.
“But we should have had a penalty. That’s why I wish we have VAR (video assistant referee) in the future.
“Other than that, Police had their game well planned. My boys took them too easy again. We didn’t learn from our first game 1-1 draw against them.”