Pahang survive double scare in one day

PETALING JAYA: The Elephants survived a real scare at home in Kuantan on Wednesday.

First, a gunman fired shots at skipper Mohd Razman Roslan’s home in Kuantan early Wednesday morning.

Then at night, double winners Pahang lived dangerously in the AFC Cup tie when they could only manage a goalless draw against Global FC of the Philippines at the Darul Makmur Stadium.

The Filipinos, thrashed 6-1 by South China FC in their opening Group G match last month, were expected to get a real hiding from the east coast giants.

Instead, they flew home happy with a share of the spoils.

Pahang have only themselves to blame for not taking all three points as coach Zainal Abidin Hassan rested several first team players, including both foreign strikers – Argentine Matias Conti and Nigerian Dickson Nwakaeme. Razman was seated on the terrace serving out a one-match suspension.

The visitors should have had their noses in front had they not squandered a couple of gilt-edged chances in the first half.

Skipper Mark Hartmann was guilty of missing a golden opportunity in the 40th minute. With only Pahang goalkeeper Mohd Khairul Azhan to beat, he ballooned his shot from the top of the box.

The home team were also fortunate not to concede an own goal when Pakistani centreback Zesh Rehman’s clearance hit the woodwork in the fifth minute.

The second half was an open affair with plenty of goal-scoring chances at both ends.

Striker Mohd Fauzi Roslan and nippy winger R. Gopinathan were the culprits for Pahang, who then decided to field top hitman Nwakaeme at the hour mark in place of Azidan Saruddin. Unfortunately, it didn’t make any difference.

The Star