Perak stuns 10 men New Radiant

Carlos celebrates the equaliser!

Male', MALDIVES - New Radiant’s hope of getting a better result in this  year’s AFC Cup hit a major blow when they failed to win anything against Malaysian outfit Perak in today’s game played in Male’. New Radiant, who started the game without key striker Ahmed Thoriq due to injury, took the lead in the 7th minute from Danielle. But the lead didn’t last for a minute as Perak levelled the game in the next minute from Carlos.

After Perak levelled the game, they took full control of the game and pressurized the defence line of New Radiant and took the lead in the 17th minute from another Carlos goal. Hardi’s cross met Carlos, who was tightly marked by Assad and Amil but intelligently he sent the ball over charged Sadun to take the lead.

Shamveel Gasim, who played well through out the game, fired a good one in the 27th minute but the keeper was well aware to push the ball back into the game.

New Radiant’s inform keeper Sadun dived well and saved a dangerous free kick from the visitors in the 30th minute.

Four minutes later under pressure home team hit another blow when defender Shifan was shown a red card for a second yellow.

With one man down, New Radiant reshuffled the team brining Akram to a more defensive role and the visitor’s confidence rose high from their 38th minute goal.

A mistake from Amil, Perak’s Khalid moved inside the penalty area and fired the shot which gave Sadun no chance of saving.

Before the half ends, New Radiant brought in Ahmed Mohamed to replace Jukka, who was having a very silent game.

The Seladang’s hit the ‘uncomfortable’ weather pretty well but the home team failed to take the advantage.

New Radiant, with ten men, played well in the second period and even find the opportunity to make the damage to the opponent but missed that final touch.

In the 70th minute, Shimaz should have done better when he was all alone facing the keeper but he could not take the advantage as the keeper tackled him to save the ball. Players and officials from New Radiant appealed for a penalty kick, but the Thailand referee showed play on.

New Radiant’s next best chance fell on to substitute youngster Shafraz, whose header was punched away by the keeper to a corner in the dying minutes of the game.

After the game, New Radiant coach Gerd said they played well in the second half and blamed some of his players.

“We saw an interesting game, even though the first wasn’t so good we played well in the second half” He said.

“We have unprofessional players; they cannot say they are sick. If they are sick they must tell me then only I can use another player”

When asked about the referee’s decision to reject the foul on Shimaz, Gerd said: “In Thailand I think it’s different. The foul on Shimaz should be a penalty”

“We can have better results in upcoming games, but we can’t under estimate the opponents. And for the next game Tom will be fit so I can use him”

Gerd’s opposite number Steve Derby said the red card helped them a lot but added fast equaliser boost their confidence.

“Obviously the red card helped us, but the first goal helped us to gain confidence” Derbey, the ESPN soccer pundit, said.

“My players kept discipline as they do in the Malaysian League”

“This was a tough game and they did a great job, especially the strikers. Though they are not world class but they did great”

Derby believed the red card was a harsh one and felt sorry for the player.

“It was a harsh red card, I felt sorry for the player. He was not guilty”