Harimau Muda ‘A’ consigned Redlands United to their first defeat of the season on Sunday, running out 5-2 winners at Cleveland Showgrounds.

The match was level at 2-2 all until the final fifteen minutes when the visitors unleashed a three-goal spree to claim the points.

Mohamed Amirul Awang Kechik, Amir Zafran Wan Nadris, Ferris Danial Mat Nasir, Saarvindran Devandrn and Mohamad Ridzuan Abdunloh Pula shared the scoring spoils for the victors, Rhys Meredith and Graham Fyfe converted for the Red Devils.

The highly entertaining match-up saw Redlands produce the first genuine chance, when Elliot Ronto’s fifth minute strike was turned around the post by Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar in the Harimau goal.

The home side maintained their early pressure and were rewarded on 15 minutes when winger Nico Bechar threaded the ball through the Harimau defence for Meredith to calmly slot home past the onrushing keeper.

This only served to galvanise the visitors in attack, and after the home side failed to clear a corner Awang Kechik struck a fierce shot to level terms only two minutes later.

The Malaysian proved hard to dispossess, running the Redlands defence ragged through much of the match.

The visitors gained their reward after the Redlands defence again failed to deal with a ball into the box - Wan Nadris on hand to poke the ball home from close range.

The hosts didn’t give up the battle and after good combination play down the right hand side, Meredith was felled in the box by the keeper who received a card for his trouble.

Fyfe duly stepped up and continued his form from the spot by slotting home the penalty.

A brilliant save by Redlands keeper Andrew Ralph kept the home side level just before the break before the visitors took greater control of the contest after the restart

The speed and movement of the Malaysian side delighted the crowd, with Mat Nasir pulling the strings and orchestrating his side in attack.

Ralph proved the far busier of the two goalkeepers and produced several telling saves to keep his side in the contest.

However, Mat Nasir got his reward for a busy afternoon when he popped up at the near post in the 79th minute to tap in to make the score 3-2.

Harimau pulled further ahead when a lunging challenge from Redlands defender James Donnelly saw the defender dismissed late in the match. The resulting penalty was duly converted by Devandrn.

The final act of the night was from the visitors in the 88th. After breaking down the right, a cross from Azlin found Abdunlah unmarked at the near post for an easy header past the despairing dive of Ralph.

The win sees Harimau Muda ‘A’ remain in ninth place on the NPL Queensalnd table with a game in hand. While Redlands first loss of the season sees them drop to fourth.

Redlands United 2 (Rhys MEREDITH 15’, Graham Fyfe 34’p)
Harimau Muda 5 (Mohamed Amirul AWANG KECHIK 17’, Amir Zafran WAN NADRIS 24’, Ferris Danial MAT NASIR 79’, Saarvindran DEVANDRN 81’p, Mohamad Ridzuan ABDUNLOH PULA 88’)

 

Words & Image: Redlands United