SAMARAHAN: The Sarawak Premier League semi-final first-leg clash lived up to expectations as neighbours Samarahan FA and Serian FA played out a tense draw at Stadium Samarahan today (Jan 24).
The opening half ended goalless, with both sides cancelling each other out in a tightly contested midfield battle and struggling to find a decisive breakthrough in front of goal.
Physicality and intensity defined the encounter, reflecting the high stakes of a semi-final as challenges flew in and neither team was willing to concede ground.
Samarahan emerged as the more threatening side after the break, creating several promising chances. A driven effort and two separate headers by substitutes Izray Iffarul Roslan and Muhd Zarif Razali in the second half both sailed wide of the target, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
Serian, however, remained dangerous on the counter and nearly stole the advantage when their captain, Zaifudin Seruji, unleashed a well-struck free-kick that forced Samarahan’s goalkeeper into a full-stretch diving save.
Samarahan had a late appeal for a penalty after a challenge in the box by a Serian defender, but no spot-kick was awarded as the referee allowed play to continue.
For the record, Serian had beaten Samarahan in both group-stage matches in the Southern Zone earlier in the competition, but this time the semi-final encounter ended in a draw.
With everything still to play for, the tie now heads into the second leg at Sarawak Stadium next weekend on Saturday (Jan 31) with both teams eyeing a place in the final.
