PETALING JAYA: Winger A. Selvan, who has been one of Negri Sembilan’s standout players, was in full flight in their 2-1 win over Pahang at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Friday.
The 24-year-old scored a gem of a winner in the 59th minute to earn his basement side their first win in the Super League.
The Port Dickson-born Selvan unleashed a superb left-footed first-timer off a pass from midfielder Jacques Faye that gave Pahang goalkeeper Zarif Irfan Hashimuddin no chance of stopping.
Hein Htet Aung scored Negri’s equaliser in the 45th minute after Pahang took the lead in the eighth minute via an own goal from Aliyu Abubakar.
But the talk of the night in Paroi was all about Selvan.
But despite scoring four goals in six games and playing a vital role in helping Negri reach the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals, Selvan was quick to brush off talk that he is the team’s star.
Winger in full flight: A. Selvan (right) scored a gem of a winner against Pahang. — Negri Sembilan FC
“I’ve been scoring goals because of my teammates. They are senior players who are the key players. So I don’t feel like I’m the star,” said the former Malaysia Under-23 player, who idolises Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I’m learning so much from my seniors. Take Hadin (Azman) for example, he is a fellow winger like me but he’s giving me a lot of tips on finishing and clever movements.
“Then there are Barath (R. Barathkumar) and Aroon (R. Aroon Kumar), who encourage me to take on players and not be afraid to express myself.
Selvan also attributed his brilliant goal to coach K. Nanthakumar’s encouragement.
“He told me to take more first-time shots instead of taking a touch before shooting, and I’ve heeded his advice.’’
