Latest news with #KuchingCity
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Jordan lifts Brunei in debut after missing first two games
Awesome start: Jordan Murray celebrating his goal against Kuching City. — DPMM FC PETALING JAYA: Brunei's Australian striker Jordan Murray could not have scripted a better return from a setback. The 29-year-old Murray, close to full recovery from an ankle injury that had sidelined him from the first two Super League games, made a dream debut for his team by scoring the winner in their dramatic 3-2 FA Cup round-of-16 first-leg victory over Kuching City at the Petaling Jaya Stadium last Saturday. For Murray, the goal made up for the weeks of frustration during his recovery. 'It was disappointing not being able to help the team and be part of the first two games,' said Murray. 'I'm still working on getting back to 100 percent. To score the winning goal meant so much to me, the fans and the team ... it's something I want to experience over and over again.' Murray's decisive strike in the 78th minute - pouncing on James Okwuosa's defensive slip before finishing coolly, capped off a stirring comeback for Brunei, who had earlier trailed 2-1. It was a fitting introduction for a forward whose career has taken him across Asia. Murray spent four seasons in India, playing for Kerala Blasters (2020-2021), two stints with Jamshedpur (2021-2022 and 2024-2025) and Chennaiyin (2023-2024) and a stint in Thailand with Nakhon Ratchashima (2022-2023) before making the switch to the Super League. The move, he admitted, felt like the right next step. 'Playing in India and Thailand was a fantastic experience. Both are very strong leagues,'' he said. 'When the opportunity came to joinBrunei and play in Malaysia, I was excited. I'd heard good feedback from friends about the team, so I was keen to come in.' His arrival has added further firepower to a Brunei side already boasting quality in attack, with the likes of Indonesian hotshot Ramadhan Sananta and Malaysian attacker Syafiq Ahmad.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Coach McAllister praises Brunei after impressive triumph over Kuching
PETALING JAYA: Brunei coach Jamie McAllister hailed his players' 'character and spirit' after they battled to a dramatic 3-2 win over Kuching City in the FA Cup round of 16 first leg on Saturday, but he was quick to stress that the tie is far from over. 'We've got to enjoy the moment – it's a good victory, but it's only half-time in the tie,' said the Scotsman after Brunei's first win of the season. 'I asked the boys to be brave in possession, and I thought we were excellent at times. We showed character, we showed quality, and I was so proud of how the players competed.' In front of their home crowd at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium, Brunei made a dream start when Indonesian forward Ramadhan Sananta slipped a pass through for skipper Azwan Ali Rahman, who calmly tucked home in the fifth minute. Kuching responded before the break through Cameroonian striker Ronald Ngah, who finished off Joao Pedro's cutback in the 42nd minute, before Nigerian defender James Okwuosa put them 2-1 ahead just after half-time. But Brunei hit back instantly, Portuguese winger Miguel Oliveira weaving through defenders to level the score at 2-2. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when substitute Jordan Murray, still nursing an ankle problem from recent weeks, punished a Kuching error with a composed strike that sent the home crowd into raptures. 'It was fantastic for Jordan,' said McAllister. 'He's been struggling with his ankle the last two weeks, but he came on with real desire and got his reward. That's what it means to the fans and the players – it's just nice to finally get that first win.' The game ended in controversy when Kuching were awarded a late penalty after a six-minute VAR check for a foul by Fairuz Zakaria. Before the call, striker Gabriel Nistelrooy already scored, which means advantage could be automatically played, but the referee decided to award a penalty. Gabriel stepped up, only to be denied by Brunei goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski's brilliant save. Despite the setback, Kuching coach Aidil Sharin remained upbeat about the return leg. 'This is football – anything can happen. Even if we scored the penalty, maybe we still missed other chances. 'The important thing is we are still in the tie. It's 3-2, not over for us. 'With our home crowd behind us, I believe we can come back.'
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aidil doesn't want to open his mouth and lose money
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuching City coach Aidil Sharin Sahak said he would lose money if he spoke his mind about the referee in their match today. Aidil admttied he had much to say about the match officiating after his team lost 3-2 to Brunei's DPMM at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in the FA Cup round of 16 first leg. Much of the post-match chatter centred not on the goals, but on the referee's calls. Aidil said there were moments he wanted to speak his mind about the referee, but he decided not to. "If I comment, my pocket will be gone (coaches get fined for criticising referees) to the MFL," he said. "So why waste my money? But of course, things have to improve because the league is getting more professional. "For me, after I looked at a photo from my media, it's very clear… but in the end, it's over, we have to move on." DPMM captain Azwan Ali Rahman opened the scoring in the fourth minute, before Wanja Ronaldo Ngah levelled for Kuching just before the break. Kuching's James Okwuosa fired the visitors ahead seconds into the second half, but Miguel Oliveira struck back quickly for DPMM. Substitute Jordan Murray's 79th-minute goal gave the hosts the lead. Kuching had a chance to eqaulise in the dying minutes when the referee awarded a penalty. But Gabriel Nistelrooy Tamin's shot was saved by Kristijan Naumovski. DPMM coach Jamie McAllister said: "The boys showed great character and spirit. We're new to the league, still adapting, but we battled, and that's what fans want to see."
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
No catwalk as Daniel and Kuching plan to leave Brunei with goals and clean sheet
PETALING JAYA: After a 17-year wait, Bandar Seri Begawan will once again host a competitive football match and Kuching City will be the first Malaysian club to play there since 2008. And the Cats' midfield maestro Daniel Amier Norhisham is eager for the challenge, with a clear plan in mind. Today, in the FA Cup round-of-16 first leg against Borneo rivals Brunei at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium, the 28-year-old and his teammates have one mission – return to Kuching for the Sept 14 second leg with goals in hand and a clean sheet. Daniel has stepped onto the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah pitch before, in a friendly against Brunei last year. But he knows this will be a different test. 'It's a big stadium and when it's full, it's fantastic. 'As a player, you always want to play in front of a big crowd, and I'm looking forward to the occasion,' he said. 'We'll focus on our strengths and stick to the tactics our coach (Aidil Sharin) has prepared. It's Brunei's first home game, so they'll be motivated to impress their fans – but we want to score and make sure we don't concede.' Kuching City began their domestic season in style, thrashing Kelantan 4-0 at the State Stadium on Aug 9. That performance has sparked belief they can secure another top-four finish, just as they did last season. Daniel admits expectations have grown. 'Before the season opener, the coaches spoke to us about what to expect. 'Finishing in the top four last year means people expect more from us now. 'We want to push harder, double our efforts, and never get complacent. 'It's still early, so we'll take it one game at a time.' Against Kelantan, Daniel impressed alongside Bahraini international Moses Atede and Namibian playmaker Petrus Shitembi. His numbers spoke for themselves – a 90% pass accuracy (35 out of 39), four pinpoint long balls out of six, and three interceptions. 'Players like Moses and Petrus make my job easier. They work hard, are great with the ball, and can play with both feet. 'They're always motivating me and telling me to believe in myself. 'Their quality pushes me to do better – but I also know competition is fierce. 'Guys like Alif Hassan and Diego (Baggio) keep me on my toes, and that's good for the team.'
The Star
10-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Purr-fect start for Ron
In it goes: Ronald Ngah scores his first goal with header against Kelantan during their Super League match. — Kuching City FC PETALING JAYA: Kuching City's new Cameroonian signing Ronald Ngah has announced his arrival in style with a dream debut in the Super League. The 33-year-old Ngah scored twice in a thumping 4-0 Super League win over Kelantan at the State Stadium in Kuching on Saturday. He struck in the sixth minute to calm early nerves, before sealing the rout in the 71st minute. Timor Leste winger Joao Pedro added the second in the 17th minute, while Ramadhan Saifullah wrapped things up in stoppage time to send the 8,000 home fans into raptures. Ngah was beaming after the final whistle and perfect start. Ronald Ngah 'It's every striker's wish in his debut – to score goals and I made it twice,' said the striker, who is known as Pak Ngah among the fans. 'Personally I'm happy and grateful to my teammates, coaches and fans, not leaving out the management. I thank God for this. The dominant scoreline, he said, was more than just three points, it was a statement. 'The scoreline sends a big message to everyone. But to us as a team, we've got much more to do to keep up the level and objectives we've set. We can only attain that by being committed and staying positive.' While fans are already buzzing about their upcoming clash with defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on Aug 24, Ngah is keeping his focus on the next hurdle, an FA Cup first-leg round-of-16 match against Brunei on Aug 16 at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan. 'JDT are still far because we've got Brunei next. We take it game by game. Until then, we'll be preparing hard for our next match.' The emphatic victory under coach Aidil Sharin's guidance has given Kuching City early-season momentum and they would be out to ride on it. Meanwhile, Kelantan coach E. Elavarasan accepted the defeat gracefully. 'Kuching City were much more prepared than us. They were competitive and the team unity was solid,' said the former Malaysia Under-23 coach. 'We conceded some easy and soft goals. We were not effective upfront and the defence were not solid enough. In terms of duels, we lost most of them, Kuching were much, much better.' When asked what needs to be done by them in order to mount a stronger challenge against Immigration at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru tomorrow, Elavarasan did not mince his words. 'Our players have to show improvement if we want to do better in the league. 'We need to get better quality players into the team. The window is still on, so we will look around.'
