Kedah is the new leader in the Malaysian Super League on goal difference after a 4-0 whitewash of Felda United in their first home match at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar on Saturday.
The massive win by the Red Eagles dislodged Pahang from the top spot after the Elephants could only manage a 1-1 draw against Melaka United at the Hang Jebat Stadium.
The top four teams after three matches are all bunched on seven points but Kedah is on top with a 7-1 goal difference. Pahang slipped to second (7-2) while five-time Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim is in the third spot with 7-3 figures followed by Melaka (4-2) in fourth place.
Kedah went on a rampage against Felda after taking the lead through national striker Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak and never looked back after Iraqi striker Anmar Almubaraki fired a delightful left-footer in the right corner past a rooted Norazlan Razali on 42 minutes.
Singapore international Shakir Hamzah went up to plant home a crisp header off a corner pinpoint corner by skipper Baddrol Bakhtiar in the 53rd minute.
Young Fadzrul Danel promoted from the President’s Cup team hammered in the fourth goal in the 73rd minute to complete the rout – and clear signals that Kedah is ready to throw in its challenge this season.
Pahang saw red against Melaka when Nor Azam Azih was sacked in the 80th minute. The Elephants went in front after only five minutes of play through their French midfielder Herold Goulon.
However, Melaka shared the spoils when Safiq Rahim converted a penalty after Philippines international Patrick Reichelt was felled inside in the box in the last minute of normal time.
In Manjung it was heartbreak for Perak SEDC (PKNP) crashed to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Petaling Jaya City FC. RIZAL ABDULLAH