GEORGE TOWN: The Perak FA are set to lodge an official complaint with the FA of Malaysia (FAM) over the performance of the match officials during their 2-1 Malaysia Cup Group D defeat to Lions XII on Saturday.
The Perak FA are incensed with the assistant referee’s decision not to indicate a goal for Perak in the 78th minute of the match played at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
With the scores tied at 1-1, Brazilian Paulo Rangel’s header was pushed on to the post by Lions XII goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud. The ball bounced over the line before Izwan caught it.
The assistant referee had a clear view of the incident, but chose not to flag for a goal.
If the goal had been awarded, Perak would have taken a 2-1 lead. Instead, they lost 2-1 when Lions XII’s Safuwan Baharudin netted the winner in the 85th minute.
“All my players knew it was a goal. We watched the match highlights back at the hotel and the replay clearly showed the ball was entirely over the line. But the assistant referee did not award it,” said Perak coach Mohd Azraai Khor yesterday.
“During the Super League match against Lions XII in Ipoh (in June), Perak had issues with the same assistant referee over an infringement inside the penalty box. I was told that the Perak FA will be taking up the matter with the FAM this time.”
Perak are feeling hard done by the decision because if Rangel’s goal had stood, they would have confirmed their quarter-final berth.
“Even if Lions XII had equalised to make it 2-2, the draw in Singapore would have put us through to the last eight. Instead, Perak’s defeat has given a lifeline to the Lions XII. I feel the battle in Group D will now go down to the wire.”
With two matches to go, both Perak and Sarawak, who whipped Kedah 4-0 in Kuching, head the standings on seven points each. Lions XII are third on four points, followed by Kedah (three points).
The Malaysia Cup now takes a two-week break for the Merdeka Cup tournament in Kuantan, but Azraai wants to keep his players on their toes.
“I will give the players a three-day break before we resume preparations. We will most likely play friendlies against the state President’s Cup team to ensure the players stay fit and sharp for the two remaining matches.”
Perak wrap up their Group D fixtures with a home tie against Kedah on Sept 17 and an away trip to Kuching to face Sarawak four days later.
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