Melaka United’s Malaysia Cup hopes went up in smoke in a must-win the match against Selangor club PKNS FC at the Shah Alam Stadium which ended in a 2-1 defeat on Saturday.
With the win, PKNS join Felda United as the top two teams from Group B. Felda, the Premier League champions defeated Police 2-0 at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka, Pahang to top the group with 10 points after five matches.
PKNS is second with the same number of points from five matches but separated by goal difference. Melaka is third on six points with Police at the bottom with only one point.
Colombian midfielder Romel Morales scored PKNS’ first goal on 24 minutes while Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti got the second in the 65th minute after Syahrul Azawi equalized for Melaka in the 55th minute.
Felda’s Brazilian imports made it count for their team with Thiago Fernandes and Gilberto Fortunato getting their names into the scoresheet in the 67th and 90th minutes respectively.
There was a shock result at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan when winless Selangor beat Pahang 3-1 in a Group D match.
It was Selangor’s first win in five matches. The Red Giants, 33-time winners of the Malaysia Cup are already out of the competition.
Despite the defeat, Pahang remained second in the group with eight points from five matches. Sabah leads the group with 10 points and faces PKNP (Perak SEDC) on Sunday.
Spaniard hitman Rufino Segovia gave Selangor the lead after seven minutes while Willian Pacheco netted the second (47th) and K.Sarkunan added the third in injury time.
Singapore international Safuwan Baharudin got Pahang’s consolation goal in the 31st minute.
For the record, Selangor played with 10 players from the 29th minute onwards after defender Ashmawi Yakin was red-carded. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH