Power play: Chrigor Moraes (right) celebrates his goal with Faisal Halim. — Photo by Selangor FC
PETALING JAYA: Brazil’s Chrigor Moraes has more than justified his place in Selangor’s squad despite the growing weight of expectations.
The pressure to deliver has only brought out the best in the 25-year-old.
He has contributed 22 goals and seven assists this season and in the Super League alone, he has scored 12 goals in 12 matches.
He scored five in five FA Cup matches, one goal in three Shoppe Cup outings, and four goals in six AFC Champions League (ACL) Two appearances.
“We Brazilians are born to play under pressure. These goals and the assists are very important to me and to the team,” said Moraes.
Equally impressive is his versatility. Comfortable across the front line, Moraes has operated as a central striker, winger and second striker, adapting seamlessly to Selangor’s attacking needs.
“In modern football, you can’t be stuck in just one position,” he said.
“You always need to keep learning and adapting to football and to the team’s style.”
When Katsuhito Kinoshi was rested in September and Frenchman Christophe Gamel took over on an interim basis, Moraes continued his fine form.
“It’s always difficult to restart with new coaches, but everyone continues to embrace new ideas,” said the former Buriram United forward.
“They are two great coaches with different styles, and that made the transition easier.”
On Sunday, Selangor’s attacking firepower led by Moraes was on full display as they thrashed Melaka 3-0 at the Petaling Jaya Stadium to climb to third in the Super League standings on goal difference.
Jordanian midfielder Noor Al-Rawabdeh opened the scoring in the second minute with an acrobatic finish after a loose clearance, before Cape Verdean winger Alvin Fortes doubled the lead eight minutes later with a low effort from 15.
Moraes capped a blistering opening spell in the 13th minute, volleying home from Al-Rawabdeh’s cross.
The win extended Selangor’s unbeaten league run to six matches and kept them level on 25 points with Kuching City and Kuala Lumpur, with Kuching second on goal difference.
