Johor Darul Takzim staved off a late fightback by Melaka United for a 2-1 win to remain unbeaten in the Super League and keep it hot at the top of the table with leaders Kedah.
The Southern Tigers led 2-0 at halftime at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru on Saturday but needed a penalty goal to get things going their way and hand Melaka their first defeat in four matches.
Kedah is on the top of the table with 10 points – same as JDT but the Red Eagles have a better goal difference of 9-1 compared to JDT’s 9-4.
Melaka’s Korean defender Jang Suk-won was hauled up for hands JDT’s Argentine hot-shot Gonzalo Cabrera beat Khairul Fahmi Che Mat from the spot. JDT 1-0.
It was 2-0 for the homesters when Safawi Rasid ran into space to hit home an assist from new signing Diogo Luis Santo.
Melaka pulled one back on 74 minutes when Philippines international Patrick Reichelt beat JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias from a rebound off an earlier attempt by Raimi Mohd Nor.
At the Shah Alam Stadium, a first-minute goal by Kpah Sherman was enough for PKNS FC to snatch a 1-0 win over winless Perak SEDC (PKNP). PKNS, 4-0 winners over Selangor at the same venue in their last match, were reduced to 10 players when Sherman was sacked in the 68th minute.
Malaysia Cup champions Perak is still searching for its win in the league with a fighting 1-1 draw against winless Felda United at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh.
Perak needed a penalty converted by Brazilian Gilmar Filho in the 70th minute after Wander Luiz was felled inside the box to wipe Felda’s 1-0 lead in the 44th minute by Hadin Azman who scored with curling freekick. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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