KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Selangor failed to capitalise on home ground advantage and had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Indonesian side Arema Cronus in their opening Group F match in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup competition at the Selayang Stadium here last night.

The Red Giants were the first to score when their Brazilian import striker Paulo Rangel slotted home a cross supplied by their Indonesian import Andik Vermansah in the ninth minute.

The visitors coached by Suharno, however, levelled the score through their captain Ahmad Bustomi who curled in a spot kick which Selangor keeper Mohd Hamsani Ahmad could not save in the 72nd minute.

Both teams went for each other’s throats after that but the score stood till the final whistle.

Speaking to the reporters after the match, Selangor’s Head Coach, Mehmet Durakovic said he was satisfied with the result although his side could have scored more goals from the many chances they created, especially in the second half.

“I thought we should have got three points but we conceded a goal in the second half. But I don’t want to blame any of my players as they played very well today,” he said.

Suharno was all praise for his boys saying they showed tremendous fighting spirit although a goal down very early in the match.

“For me, this one point we collected tonight is very precious although we could have won had the players converted their chances,” he said.

In another match in the Group, Vietnamese side Hanoi T&T defeated Maziya Sports & Recreation Club from the Maldives 5-1 at the Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi. — Bernama