PETALING JAYA: When Chrigor Moraes slid in to stab home Selangor’s dramatic equaliser on Sunday night, it was more than just a goal – it was a moment charged with emotion, sacrifice and love.
The striker had only days earlier watched the birth of his daughter, Cecilia, from thousands of miles away, forced to witness the life-changing moment through a phone screen as his wife, Maria Eduardo, gave birth in Brazil.
So when the ball hit the net deep into injury time at the Petaling Jaya Stadium, Moraes’ celebration carried the weight of everything he had just been through.
“It was difficult not being there,” he said. “But my family supported my wife and I saw everything on my phone.
“Now we are parents, and we will give our best for her.
“Every goal I score is for my loved ones – this one especially.”
That goal, deep into injury time, secured Selangor a 1-1 draw against Kuching City in the first leg at the Petaling Jaya Stadium, keeping the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg in Sarawak on April 18.
It was a strike born of persistence. For much of the night, Moraes found himself locked in a physical battle with Kuching’s resolute backline led by Nigerian centreback and captain James Okwuosa, often outnumbered and tightly marked.
“I faced three strong centrebacks. I kept going and going. When that one chance came, I had to take it. I’m just happy it went in.”
Selangor had been chasing the game after Kuching struck first in the 42nd minute. Cameroonian forward Ronald Ngah converted from the penalty spot after referee Izzul Fikri Kamarusaman adjudged that Safuwan Baharuddin had fouled him, a decision that sparked protests from the home side, especially with replays suggesting otherwise.
Still, Moraes and his teammates refused to dwell on the controversy.
“It’s a Cup game, so the stakes are higher. We knew how difficult it would be. We tried to dominate and created chances, but we couldn’t finish them earlier.
“As for the penalty, I’m not sure, but we have to accept the referee’s decision.”
Instead, Selangor poured forward in search of a lifeline, and it finally came through a moment of quality.
Syahir Bashah delivered a precise ball from midfield, and Moraes was perfectly placed to guide it past goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli.
The equaliser not only shifted the momentum but also ensured Selangor travel to Kuching with everything to play for. Yet Moraes, despite the emotion of the moment, remains grounded.
“We have to focus on Sabah first,” he said, referring to their upcoming Super League match.
“But of course, the second leg is in our minds. We know how important it is.”
At a club like Selangor, pressure is constant – something Moraes embraces.
“We have to stay strong, stay confident and keep fighting.”
On a night filled with tension and drama, Moraes did just that – delivering a goal that kept Selangor alive, and dedicated that goal to a daughter he has yet to hold.
