Gem of a goal: Jimmy Raymond of Kuching City reels away to celebrate after scoring the winning goal in the 2-1 win over Selangor in a Super League match. – Kuching City
PETALING JAYA: Kuching City defender Jimmy Raymond scored his first goal after five years and it was worth the wait.
The 28-year-old turned hero as he delivered the winner in the Cats’ epic 2-1 victory over runners-up Selangor in the Super League game at the State Stadium in Kuching on Sunday.
Jimmy took the opportunity to score when he capitalised on a through pass from midfielder Daniel Amier Norhisham and unleashed a cross from the right, which looped over Selangor goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz in the 85th minute.
The first goal for Kuching was scored by winger Ramadhan Saifullah in the 26th minute, while Selangor’s solitary goal was netted by winger Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi in the 50th minute.
Jimmy said he scored his last goal against Negri Sembilan in the Premier League in 2020.
The Bintulu-born player was happy to have helped his club win the game and move up to third in the standings of the Super League.
“It’s great to score and help the team secure valuable points at home. What is important to me is the victory of the team,” said Jimmy.
“Selangor are a well-rounded team in all aspects, but we did everything to get the win for our home supporters. We got it, and it feels good.”
Kuching have 36 points from 22 matches and is hopeful of maintaining that spot by performing well in their next two games in the league.
Their next game is against JDT on April 17 and they will wrap up the season by playing Negri Sembilan on April 26.
“We want to finish in the top three or at least the top five,” said Jimmy.
Meanwhile, Jimmy, who was part of the national team that played in the AFF Cup last year, was omitted from the squad preparing for the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers against Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on March 25 but he took the decision in his stride.
“I see it from a positive perspective because there is still a lot that I need to do and improve. I believe every decision made by the coaches is right because they know better what needs to be done,” he said.
On his future with Kuching City, Jimmy said he wanted to finish the season first and let the management decide on his future.
