With three more matches to go the home stretch is developing into a hot race after Friday’s 100PLUS Premier League matches with Kuala Lumpur and Terengganu occupying the top two places.
Kuala Lumpur rode on an own goal by Raffi Nagoorgani in the last 10 minutes of play for a 1-0 win over Perak SEDC (PKNP) at the Selayang Stadium for 41 points after 19 matches.
However, Terengganu kept their challenge with a 3-0 win over Kuantan FA at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan which also left the Turtles also on 41 points but second in the 12-team league on inferior goal difference.
Terengaanu head coach Irfan Bakti, however, had a tongue lashing for his players at half-time break for an “inspired and better performance” from his team.
“It was a below par performance from the team. It was only in the second half that we played better,” said Irfan from Kuala Terengganu.
Irfan also welcomed the month-long break for the 29th Sea Games for a “much needed break” from the hectic schedule that took its toll on the teams, especially those who also had to play in the Malaysia Cup.
“We have three more matches…and we are playing all three away. After the break we play MISC-Mifa, Police and PKNP and we cannot drop points against the three because the top four teams have an even chance of finishing in the top two.”
Kipre Tchetcher struck a brace in the 35th and 48th minutes before Adib Aizuddin executed a beautiful volley on 57 minutes for the goal number three.
Negri Sembilan, held to a 2-2 draw by Police at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi have 38 points while PKNP are fourth on 37.
It was a disappointing performance by Negri at Paroi – more so when Police were reduced to 10 players after Khairul Izuan Abdullah was red carded after 62 minutes.
JDT II are in fifth place with 34 points after a hard fought 2-1 win over Misc-MIFA at the Pasir Gudang Stadium. UiTM FC outplayed Perlis 3-1 in Kangar and Sabah inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Armed Forces. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
RESULTS 100PLUS PREMIER LEAGUE
KUANTAN FA 0 TERENGGANU 3
K.LUMPUR 1 PKNP 0
N.SEMBILAN 2 POLICE 2
A.FORCES 0 SABAH 2
PERLIS 1 UiTM FC 3
JDT II 2 MISC-MIFA 1