PETALING JAYA: Liberian striker Kpah Sherman turned hero for Pahang after his lone goal gave them a precious 1-0 win over Perak at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan yesterday.
The 31-year-old unleashed a shot from inside the penalty box in the 55th minute which took a wicked deflection off Perak centreback Raja Imran Shah, and fooled goalkeeper T. Shaheeswaran.
Perak had most possession after that and even brought on creative midfielders Firdaus Saiyadi and Azalinullah Alias in the second-half but they failed to create any good chances.
Pahang stayed resolute and held on for their 11th win of the season. They remain fourth in the league with 37 points while Perak stay 11th with 13 points.
Pahang coach Fandi Ahmad was glad with the win but wished his strike force was a bit more clinical.
“We were not sharp enough up front. We had chances but didn’t take them. It is hard to play a team that are compact. Perak were solid in the middle,” said the Singaporean.
“But we got the three points. Just one goal, but I wished it was more especially the two chances that hit the post.”
On his new striker Rafael Silva, Fandi said he is getting better.
“Rafael held the ball well. Perak were playing five at the back. Rafa and Kpah could not combine much due to the compact defending.”
V. Saravanan, who is standing in for Perak coach Yusri Che Lah, was proud of his boys despite the loss.
“They gave their best. We made some silly mistakes but the way we played, I am so proud,” he said.
“The absence of Jesper (Nyholm) and Sunday (Afolabi) affected us.
“The difference between Perak and Pahang in this game was experience. I hope we can get a better result in the next game.”
