The flu bug that hit Johor Darul Takzim earlier in the week was laid to rest as the six-time Super League champions flew past relegated Kuala Lumpur 4-0 at the Cheras Football Stadium on Saturday to stretch their unbeaten record to 20 matches.
However, the showdown was at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar where Kedah outplayed Perak in a prelude to the July 27 FA Cup final.
For Kedah, it was a morale-boosting as the Red Eagles kept it hot for a top-three finish as they battle fourth-placed Selangor on goal difference.
While JDT has a healthy 52 points at the top followed by second-placed Pahang on 37 points, Kedah (36-24) and Selangor (38-33) have 34 points each after 21 matches with Melaka United (32 points) in fifth place from 20 matches.
Two late, late goals from Spaniard Fernando Rodriguez turned the tide for the Red Eagles after Perak skipper Shahrul Saad (29th) and a penalty by Ronaldo Henrique Silva (79h) had tied the score at 2-2. Rodriguez scored his first in the 89th and got his second in four minutes of added time.
N. Thanabalan (40th) opened the scoring for Kedah when he tapped in a Rodriguez assist before Brazilian Renan Alves got the second off a header.
JDT’s Brazilian striker Diogo Luis Santo, signed from Buriram United this season, hit a brace for the champions to take his tally to 12 goals with strikes in the 28th and 71st minutes. The goal rush began as early as the 10th minute when Argentine midfielder Gonzalo Cabrera scored. The other goal was netted by Nazmi Faiz Mansor.
Selangor handed Petaling Jaya City FC a 3-0 beating at the Shah Alam Stadium – with victory coming in the wake of a 3-2 defeat to Perak in Ipoh in mid-week.
PJ City, who had a long rest after their match against JDT was postponed due to the flu bug, were outplayed by the Red Giants who never looked back after Brazilian Endrick Dos Santos opened the floodgates in the 43rd minute.
Former international Khyril Muhymeen Zambri and Nigerian hitman Idefayo Olusegun were on target in the 57th and 61st minutes respectively. Mid-season signing Olusegun scored his 10th goal for his team. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
