PETALING JAYA: Gabriel Nistelrooy returned to his home state hoping to secure regular playing time with Kuching City.

The move did not pay off immediately but the lanky striker from Miri, Sarawak, persevered.

And on Saturday, the big moment finally arrived when he emerged as the match winner when the Borneo side defeated Penang 1-0 in their Super League clash at the City Stadium in George Town.

Handed a rare start, Gabriel capitalised on a defensive mistake by Penang’s Argentinian captain and centreback Stefano Brundo before calmly beating goalkeeper Ramadhan Ab Hamid with a neat finish.

That win saw Kuching move to second in the league with 40 points from 19 matches, although their position could change depending on the result involving Selangor and Kuala Lumpur next.

Penang, meanwhile, sit ninth with 19 points from 19 games.

The 25-year-old Gabriel was happy to make full use of the opportunity.

“It was a very meaningful goal for Kuching City. Even though it may have looked like a simple finish, it secured three vital points for the team. I feel very happy to have scored the winning goal for us,” said Gabriel.