Backline hero saves the show

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

Kuching City fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Tampines Rovers in their ASEAN Club Championships opener, with centreback Gabriel Peres scoring both late goals. The resilient result keeps Kuching City competitive in the tournament as they prepare for a key FA Cup quarter-final match tomorrow.

Kuching City secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against Singapore’s Tampines Rovers in their opening match of the ASEAN Club Championships Shopee Cup Group A at the Taha Ariffin Stadium in Kuching on Wednesday. The Malaysia Super League side relied on centreback Gabriel Peres, who scored both goals late in the match to rescue his team from defeat.

Tampines Rovers took an early lead in the 13th minute through Nabel Yoshitaka Furusawa. Kuching City fought back in the final moments of the game, with Peres leveling the score in the 86th minute. However, the visitors appeared to have secured victory when Kohya Kazama scored two minutes later. Peres, standing 1.97 meters tall, sealed the point for Kuching with a stoppage-time header, earning the hosts a crucial draw in their debut tournament match.

Peres, who joined Kuching City from Sabah in July, was named man of the match. He credited the accolade to his teammates and coach Aidil Sharin. “This award is not just for me, but for my group. This is for my coach,” said Peres, emphasizing the collective effort behind his late heroics.

Kuching City coach Aidil Sharin, originally from Singapore, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance despite missing out on the three points. The hosts controlled possession for 66% of the match and created 22 scoring opportunities compared to just seven from Tampines Rovers. Aidil acknowledged the strong defensive efforts by Tampines’ goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad and his defenders, which kept Kuching at bay for much of the game.

“Overall, we controlled the game well and did not deserve to lose,” Aidil said. He praised his players’ resilience and refusal to give up, highlighting the importance of their response under pressure. “We will make the necessary improvements for the next game,” he added.

Kuching City now turn their focus to the FA Cup quarter-final second leg against Kelantan City scheduled for tomorrow. After a goalless draw in the first leg, Peres emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation for the crucial fixture. “It is an important game because a win would see us in the semis, so I would love to see a full-house stadium. We need that energy as well,” he said.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.