Timely goal: Shahrel Fikri Mohd Fauzi (right) came in as a substitute and scored the third goal for Negri Sembilan in the Super League match against Kelantan.
PETALING JAYA: Shahrel Fikri Mohd Fauzi showed he can be a deadly striker.
He demonstrated yet again that he has the credentials to partner Casagrande da Silva as the main strike force for Negri Sembilan following his team’s 4-2 win over Kelantan on Saturday.
The 28-year-old Shahrel came in for defender R. Aroon Kumar in the 57th minute while the Deer were deadlocked 2-2 and scored in the 67th minute to restore the lead for the home team.
Shahrel scored trough a pass from da Silva and the Brazilian scored the fourth goal after being fed by the former Selangor player in the 89th minute.
Negri coach K. Devan acknowledged Sharel’s contribution in the match and said he will play a more prominent role in the coming matches.
“Sharel is a quality striker and can combine well with Casagrande and there is a big possibility he will be brought into the first XI,” said Devan.
“Shahrel is a player who make space and run (into position) to score goals and is very effective in the 18-yard area.
“With this goal, he will be more confident and will be one of the strikers who can help Negri this season.
“Although we led in the first half, Kelantan came back and we took the lead again and they managed to draw level but our players kept creating chances and managed to score two goals.
“Kelantan had momentarily taken charge when the score was 2-2 but knowing that we are playing at home, the players worked really hard and we managed to secure victory.”
Negri had led the match through a Mahali Jasuli goal in the 16th minute but Ismaheel Akinade struck in the 36th minute to level the score.
Herold Goulon restored the lead for the Deer in the two minutes later and it was Akinade who kept Kelantan in the game after scoring in the 53rd minute.
However, the combo of da Silva-Shahrel gave Negri their biggest win thus far and signs are clear that the duo may play a bigger role for their team this season.
