PETALING JAYA: It took Rainderson Da Costa, better known as Careca, just 12 seconds to write his name into Malaysian football history.
The Brazilian playmaker netted the second-fastest goal ever scored in the Super League, setting Terengganu on their way to a commanding 5-0 win over Brunei at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan on Friday. The current record is held by former Penang centreback Rafael Vitor, also a Brazilian, who took just nine seconds to score the first goal for Penang, when they took on Perak in 2021.
By the final whistle, Da Costa had two goals to his name, the opener that silenced the home crowd almost immediately, and another in the 74th minute.
The east coast club had climbed to the top of the table with seven points from three games and are looking good for the next match against Selangor on Wednesday.
“The game was very good, very proud of my team’s effort, and very happy to score two goals and help my team with the victory,” said Da Costa, still smiling as he reflected on his blistering start.
“I’m also happy to make history with one of the fastest goals in the league.”
Da Costa has quickly settled into life in Terengganu, where he has found both the team environment and the community welcoming.
“Everyone welcomed me very well. I’ll work hard to always give my best in every game and training session, and I hope to have a good season.”
The 29-year-old believes the atmosphere around the squad has been crucial in helping him adapt.
“The team spirit is very good, we have great players and a great coaching staff. It’s a good start, but we’ll work to always improve. We’ll prepare well to play a good match against Selangor next.”
While Terengganu celebrated, Brunei coach Jamie McAllister cut a frustrated figure as he assessed his side’s collapse.
“The reaction after that early goal from the players, I thought we showed a real lack of quality and possession, no belief. And then a lack of fight, and that’s unacceptable for me as a coach,” McAllister said bluntly.
“We worked on transitions and counter-attack the last few days. We knew they were very good on the counter, but we didn’t defend it well enough. Too many individual errors.”
The former Scotland international admitted the defeat was a major setback, particularly given his squad’s promising build-up during the week.
“It’s been a very good week in training, the boys were buoyant after the win 3-2 FA Cup win against Kuching City, but for whatever reason we just made too many errors today. I think you see character in players when you go 2-0 down, 3-0 down, who really fight, who don’t give up. And I was disappointed today.”
McAllister promised changes ahead of their next outing against Kuching City in the round of 16 second-leg of the FA Cup at the State Stadium in Kuching on Sept 14. It will be followed with a Super League game against Kuala Lumpur on Sept 30 at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.
“The players that didn’t show me enough today won’t play in the next game. The fans want to see these players run and fight as a bare minimum, and I’m not going to accept anything less.”
