KUCHING: It was one of those nights in football, full of effort and intent, but the result just would not follow.
Kuching City FC, the home side, settled for a 1–1 draw against Penang FC in their Malaysian Super League encounter at the Sarawak State Stadium on Saturday night.
The Cats were nearly off to a dream start when Petrus Shitembi’s early run ended with a shot that brushed the side netting.
The home crowd stayed on their feet minutes later when a fine cross from skipper James Okwuosa found Joao Pedro, whose clever pass found Danial Asri, but the chance drifted narrowly wide.
At the other end, Penang made their moments count.
In the 13th minute, Tchetche Kipre rose highest to head home from a cross by Dylan Christopher, a goal that briefly unsettled Kuching’s rhythm.
Still, Aidil Sharin’s men kept pushing forward.
Danial Amier impressed with a neat dummy and quick turn inside the box, forcing a sharp save from Penang goalkeeper Mohd Khairulazhan.
Just before half-time, drama unfolded when a VAR review confirmed a handball in the Penang box.
Ronald Ngah Wanja stepped up with composure to convert the spot-kick and level the score at 1–1.
The second half saw Kuching City continue to press for a winner.
Pedro’s surging runs down the left repeatedly troubled the visitors, though Danial Asri and later substitutes Ramadhan Saifullah and Hazwan Bakri were unable to find the decisive finish.
Penang had their chances too, but right back Jimmy Raymond produced a timely clearance to keep the scores level.
In the closing stages, Hazwan came closest with a low free-kick strike that was parried away for a corner in the 87th minute.
Kuching City did almost everything right, yet luck simply was not on their side.
