Selangor's Patrick Ronaldinho taking a shot against Tampines Rovers in the AFC Cup Group E clash at Selayang Municipal Council Stadium. - M. AZHAR / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor’s miserable form continued when they were edged 1-0 by Singapore’s Tampines Rovers in the AFC Cup Group E clash at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium.
Former Lions XII striker Fazrul Nawaz Shah Hameed exorcised his demons in Selayang by scoring the winner in the 27th minute.
The striker had suffered a life-threatening head injury in 2013 after he was kicked in the face by Amiridzwan Taj Tajuddin during a Super League match against Armed Forces but marked his return to the venue with a goal.
The defeat extended the Red Giants’ winless run in the AFC Cup campaign to two matches leaving them in third spot. Tampines remained on top with six points.
Selangor coach Zainal Abidin Hassan made six changes to his line-up that lost to Police (2-1) in the FA Cup tie on Friday. Defenders Azmi Muslim, Bunyamin Umar, Mohd Rizal Fahmi, winger Andik Vermansyah, midfielder Saiful Ridzuan Selamat and striker Abdul Hadi Yahaya to give them more match-time ahead of their Super League game against Terengganu on Friday.
However, the changes saw Selangor struggle to find their footing. And, as Zainal had feared prior to the match, his side leaked in an early goal.
Rightback Bunyamin’s poor clearance fell onto the path of Irwan Shah who squared the ball to Fazrul who easily slotted past goalkeeper Norazlan Razali.
Stung by the goal, Selangor doubled their effort for the equaliser but could not provide enough ammunition for their striker Patrick Ronaldinho to fire at Tampines’ goal.
The introduction of midfielder Mohd Nazmi Faiz and winger R. Gopinathan injected some life into the game after the breather but the “The Stag” kept the Red Giants at bay to win a precious three points.
