Without a chief coach after Azraai Khir Abdullah quit the team in a huff following Kelantan’s 3-0 defeat to Lions XII on July 4, the homesters were lucky to share the spoils on Saturday – needing a late equaliser from their Brazilian import Gilmar Da Silva in the 72nd minute.
Kelantan, under the charge of former international Zahasmi Ismail, looked like having things going their way after Amiridzwan Taj Tajuddin scored after only six minutes of play. However, it was a false call for the Red Warriots.
The homesters failed to ride on their early lead and instead it was Sime Darby who looked more and more dangerous as the minutes ticked.
And fittingly the plantation giants who are doomed for relegation without a win to show after 15 matches, got back on level terms when Nemanja Vidakovic headed home a cross from Marko Perovic.
There was more to come from Sime Darby when they shocked the homesters with goal number two on 50 minutes with Reinaldo Da Costa finding the net with a well executed shot.
After 14 matches Kelantan are in ninth place in the 12-team league with 15 points with a game in hand over their rivals as the relegation battle gets hot.
On Tuesday, Kelantan will face another relegation threatened team – Armed Forces – also at home and a win over the soldiers could ease things for the Red Warriors. Armed Forces are second from the bottom with 10 points and need to win to keep their Super League hopes alive.
