PETALING JAYA: Ahmed Shamsaldin announced his arrival in Malaysian football in emphatic fashion, scoring twice on debut as Melaka stunned FA Cup runners-up Sabah 3-0 to seal a 5-2 aggregate victory and march into the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals.
The towering Egyptian striker revealed that his move to the club was driven largely by head coach E. Elavarasan’s belief in him, a faith he repaid in spectacular style at the Likas Stadium.
“I’m very happy with the result,” said Shamsaldin. “Winning 3-0 against Sabah and qualifying for the quarter-finals is a big step for us.”
The 1.96m forward could hardly have asked for a better start to life with the Mousedeer, finding the net twice in his first appearance after joining the squad only days earlier.
“Scoring two goals on my debut is the best possible start,” said the 32-year-old, who joined the team from Albanian club KS Kastrioti.
“I’m very grateful to the coach for the confidence he showed in me. I joined the team just a few days ago, but he trusted me to start the game. I’ll do everything I can not to let him down.”
Shamsaldin, who has extensive experience in Thailand playing for sides like Nakhon Pathum, Nonthaburi, Rajpracha and Phitsanulok, also made it clear that Elavarasan was the key factor behind his decision to sign for Melaka.
“He is the main reason I’m here,” he added.
Melaka had drawn 2–2 with Sabah in the first leg at the Hang Jebat Stadium on Jan 17, but they produced a dominant display in the return leg to knock the Rhinos out of the competition.
Sabah’s task became significantly harder when midfielder Gary Steven Robbat was sent off in the 44th minute after receiving his marching orders from referee Mohd Faizudin Ismail, a moment that proved to be the turning point.
Melaka took full advantage after the break. On his debut, Shamsaldin opened the scoring in the 48th minute, pouncing on a loose clearance from the Sabah defence and firing a left-footed volley from inside the box.
Fullback Che Rashid Che Abdul Halim doubled the lead in the 82nd minute, capitalising on a costly error by Sabah centreback Dominic Tan before his shot slipped past goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Shamsaldin then completed his dream debut four minutes later, rising to meet a cross from Umar Hakeem Suhar Redzuan and calmly finishing to make it 3–0 on the night.
“The team are improving in the second half of the season, and we’re on the right path,” Shamsaldin said. “Now our focus is on the league and the upcoming quarter-final match.”
