Selangor FC had Syahmi Safari to thank as his late goal enabled the Red Giants to edge out Melaka United 3-2 at the Hang Jebat Stadium on Sunday’s 2021 Liga Super Malaysia Matchweek 9 action. Ifedayo Olusegun also scored a brace for Selangor as Karsten Neitzel’s men recovered from going down twice in the game to reap all three points.
With the first half seemingly heading towards a goalless stalemate, hosts Melaka were given a huge opportunity to open the scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time, after Jordan Ayimbila had fouled Kumaahran Sathasivam within the Selangor penalty area. Montenegrin striker Stefan Nikolic was tasked in dispatching the spot kick and he did his job perfectly, beating Khairulazhan Khalid with a powerful shot to give Melaka the lead.
Six minutes into the second half Olusegun equalized for Selangor, slotting home a Brendan Gan cross that was improperly deflected away by Melaka goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat. However, the Mousedeers managed to regain the lead in the 58th minute through Syamim Yahya, who swung home a powerful header past Khairulazhan after Melaka were given a corner.
Olusegun then came to Selangor’s rescue once again in the 70th minute, after Mukhairi Ajmal had provided the Nigerian with a sublime cross that was finished off with an equally high-quality header that left Khairul utterly beaten.
Safari then clinched all three points for Selangor in the 88th minute, volleying in an excellent shot that went straight into the bottom left corner of the Melaka goal.
Sunday’s other Matchweek 9 game saw Casagrande once again coming to Penang FC’s rescue as he scored the equalizing goal for the Panthers, as they drew 1-1 away at Petaling Jaya City. The solitary point ensured that newly promoted Penang would remain in 4th place, a point behind Northern Malaysia rivals Kedah Darul Aman on 3rd, two points behind 2nd placed Terengganu FC, and 7 points behind runaway league leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim.