KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur’s hard-fought 2-2 draw against Negri Sembilan at the Cheras Football Stadium on Sunday ended with mixed emotions for defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco.
While the result confirmed the City Boys’ best-ever finish in the Super League era, the Australian centreback will miss the club’s final league match of the season after picking up a suspension.
Negri drew first blood in the 16th minute when captain Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee made amends for an earlier missed penalty by converting the rebound past KL goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad.
KL responded in the 25th minute after referee Razlan Jofri Ali awarded a penalty for handball against Khuzaimi. Spanish playmaker Victor Ruiz calmly converted from the spot to level matters.
Ruiz then turned provider minutes later with a clever backheel pass that released Italian winger Nicolao Cardoso, who coolly finished past Negri goalkeeper Azri Ghani to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
However, the visitors salvaged a point in the 81st minute when Palestinian midfielder Oday Kharoub converted another penalty, a decision that sparked heated protests from the KL bench.
The tension boiled over in the closing stages as head coach Risto Vidakovic and assistant coach Edin Prljaca were both sent off for dissent following the controversial call.
Despite the draw, KL secured fourth place with 43 points from 23 matches, their highest finish since the Super League was started in 2004.
“When I first arrived, we had just come up from the second division. Since then, we won the Malaysia Cup, reached the AFC Cup final, made the FA Cup final, and now we are in the top four for the first time in 22 years. I’m incredibly proud to be part of it.”
Gallifuoco admitted he was disappointed to miss the final league match against Kuching City at the State Stadium in Kuching on Sunday due to suspension but remained confident the team could end the campaign on a high.
“I’m going to be depressed watching from home but I believe we can get the three points.
“This is probably the most talented KL City team we’ve had,” said the 32-year-old.
“We are setting a record for the most points KL City have achieved in the Super League,” he said.
“As players, you want to write yourselves into history. When I walk into Cheras Stadium and see the trophies and history, that motivates me.
“I want people to look back in 10 years and say this was the team that set the standard.”
