Kedah smashed defending champions Johor Darul Takzim 3-1 in a Group C match in the Malaysia Cup competition at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar on Friday.
It was certainly “Merdeka” for the Red Eagles who soared into second place in Group – level on points with Malaysia Cup debutants MISC-MIFA – with eight points each after five matches, separated by goal difference.
The Johor outfit dubbed the Southern Tigers, it was a miserable night at the Darulaman Stadium when the visitors were reduced to 10 players after long-serving Brazilian defender Marcos Antonio was sacked for a tackle on Kedah goalkeeper Abdul Hadi Hamid on 89 minutes.
This is JDT’s third defeat in the group after a 2-1 defeat to MIFA at home and a 1-0 defeat to Kelantan away.
Kedah opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute when their 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder Sandro da Silva Mendoca beat Farizal Marlias following an assist from Khairul Helmi.
JDT, winners of the Malaysia Super League for a record fifth consecutive year this year, made it all square after 36 minutes through their Argentine midfielder Fernando Marquez.
But that was as far as JDT could go although they came close to adding to their tally but poor finishing from Safawi Rashid and company plus an inspiring performance between the posts by Abdul Hadi tilted the match in Kedah’s favor.
International Akhyar Rashid gave Kedah a 2-1 lead in the 47th minute before Kosovo playmaker Liridon Krasniqi delightfully chipped the ball over JDT keeper Farizal Marlias deep into added time for a 3-1 win.
At the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Bahru in another Group C match, Kelantan drew scoreless with MIFA. – BYÂ RIZAL ABDULLAHÂ
