# ‘The turning point for us was when Zamir saved a penalty’ – Elavarasan
# JDT held to a scoreless draw by Selangor at Larkin Stadium
# Kedah whipe Pahang 4-1 in Alor Setar
# Penang suffer their fourth defeat in a row
By Rizal Abdullah
Former national goalkeeper Zamir Selamat saved a 59th minute penalty and it was the turning point for newly promoted PKNS FC in their thumping 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Perak in Saturday’s afternoon Super League match played at the Shah Alam Stadium.
PKNS whipped Selangor 5-3 at the same venue in their last match after two straight defeats at the hands of Felda United (0-1) and Kelantan 1-3). However, the impressive wins over Selangor and Perak has made football pundits sit up and take notice of E. Elavarasan’s team.
It is nice to note that national striker Safee Sali was on the scorelist for PKNS – his second goal in two matches and four starts. He also scored in the win over Selangor.
On Saturday Safee, who is enjoying a new lease of “football life” under Elavarasan hammered the final goal in the 85th minute after new signing from Argentina Lucas Espindola hit a brace for a 2-0 lead.
Espindola, playing his second match for PKNS after missing the first two due to registration snags, got his first with a curling freekick that took a deflection off a Perak player before hitting the back of the net.
Perak custodian Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy was beaten again two minutes into the second half with Espindola hitting target from the top of the penalty box.
“Zamir was superb. The turning point for us came when he (Zamir) saved a penalty,” said Elavarasan, referring to the goalkeeper’s save from Perak’s Vladislav Mirchev’s spotkick.
“Also it was an afternoon match and Perak found it difficult to play under that conditions…we were more suited to the conditions.”
Perak had gone into the match as joint leaders with Pahang on seven points each. However, Pahang’s superior goal difference gave the Elephants top spot. Pahang and Perak drew 1-1 in their opening match and Perak won 1-0 against Penang in their second match before snatching a 3-2 win over Malacca United at home.
Elavarasan, however, is not getting carried away with the two wins as it is still early in the seaon. PKNS will face Malacca United at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca in a second round FA Cup match on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Kedah ran riot at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar with a 4-1 win over Pahang while Felda United United slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Kelantan at home at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka.
Penang remained entrenched at the bottom of the 12-team Super League without a win after four matches. The Panthers lost 1-0 to Sarawak at the State Stadium in Batu Kawan.
Three-time Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim were held to a scorelss draw at the Larkin Stadium.
It was JDT’s second draw at home after sharing points with Kedah in their opening match which was also the Charity Shield match. Kedah won the Charity Shield 5-4 on penalties.
SUPER LEAGUE RESULTS (Feb 11)
PKNS FC 3 Perak 0
Kedah 4 Pahang 1
Malacca 1 T-Team 2
Penang 0 Sarawak 1
Felda United 1 Kelantan 2
JDT 0 Selangor 0
