Superlative: Luka Milunovic (yellow) celebrates after scoring one of his three goals against Kelantan. – Photo by Perak FC
PETALING JAYA: Serbian striker Luka Milunovic cleared all doubts on his ability by emerging as the top scorer for Perak in their 8-0 thrashing of Kelantan in the Super League.
The 30-year-old who had only scored a goal in five previous matches for the Seladang finally came to life when he scored a hattrick in the 14th, 25th and 33rd minutes at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Saturday.
The former Sabah player was over the moon.
“I’m glad that I remained professional, fulfilling all the task given to me and today the result showed,” said Milunovic.
“I thank my teammates for helping me to achieve this hattrick. I’ve been with the team for three and half months now, and it does feel good to be well accepted by everyone.
“We have three more games and hope to finish in the highest ranking position as possible.”
South Korean striker Seo Seu-nung netted a double in the 49th and 67th minutes while winger Wan Zack Wan Haikal (17th), centreback A. Shivan Pillay (36th) and Argentinian midfielder and captain Luciano Guaycochea (84th) scored a goal each.
Coach Yusri Che Lah said he was happy that his boys executed his plan well.
“Kelantan gave us a lot of space and from my point of view, it felt like they didn’t want to play but we kept to our playing principles,” said Yusri.
“It’s nice to get this big win and bounce back after the 1-4 Malaysia Cup first-leg semi final defeat to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT). We can now focus on the second-leg against them on Nov 2.”
Perak have moved from tenth to ninth in the league with 22 points in 23 games.
Meanwhile, JDT, with the Super League title under their belt, took it easy against Kelantan United by scoring only two out of their 20 chances at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru on Saturday.
Argentinian striker Fernando Forestieri scored in the 75th minute while Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva netted in the 90th for their 19th and 17th goals in the league so far.
JDT coach Esteban Solari however said they did not hold their punches against Kelantan although they had returned from South Korea after losing 1-3 to Ulsan Hyundai in Group I of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
“It’s remarkable how they have committed themselves to the game,” said Solari.
“The weather was hot, but they still pressed and showed lots of extra effort. We had 20 chances and scored two. We won, that’s satisfying.”
Meanwhile, Solari also confirmed that next year, the club would be signing Argentinian midfielder Jalil Elias.
