Football
Nicolas Anil 8y

JDT close in on third consecutive MSL title after victory at Felda

Johor Darul Ta'zim downed 10-man Felda United 3-2 to stand on the brink of the Malaysia Super League (MSL) title in a top-of-the-table clash of high drama at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium on Wednesday night.

The MSL table toppers, who led Felda by four points going into the match, were restored to full strength and needed only five minutes to fashion their first chance.

Safiq Rahim's 25-metre free kick bounced off the crossbar past Farizal Harun, before Juan Martin Lucero saw his follow-up acrobatically hacked off the line by Gilberto Carlos.

Replays suggested that Safiq's effort went in, as the entire ball appeared to have crossed the line. But the assistant referee on the far side kept his flag down and it remained goalless.

Amri Yahyah was brought on after Azniee Taib was stretched off in the 14th minute, and the veteran striker needed only 16 minutes to make an impact.

JDT launched another blistering attack which ended in Jorge Pereyra Diaz's effort deflecting off Carlos into Amri's path. The 35-year-old hit a first-time volley that flew past Farizal to give the visitors a deserved lead, becoming the club's third player to score in four competitions this season.

Six minutes later, the Southern Tigers doubled their advantage, courtesy of Amri's contribution. The striker skinned Nor Fazly Alias on the left wing, but was hacked down by the defender just inside the box. Lucero converted the spot kick for his 16th goal of the season.

But Felda were far from down, and hit back almost immediately through a sensational strike.

There appeared little danger when Syahid Zaidon received possession 30-metres from the JDT goal. With no one closing him down, the midfielder unleashed a sublime shot that flew in off both sides of the post.

Felda then drew level just before the break through a brilliant team effort. A channeled ball down the right wing was crossed into the box by Forkey Doe, with Zah Rahan Krangar helping his delivery onto the path of Hadin Azman. He bundled it past Izham to spark a celebration frenzy among the home support.

The drama was not over, as Diaz poked past Farizal in injury time. But, again, the ball was contentiously cleared off the line, this time by Nor Fazly.

JDT players and coach Mario Gomez protested furiously at that decision and surrounded the officials as the sides left the pitch for half-time, tied at 2-2.

Felda's chance of upstaging JDT were dealt a severe blow in the 59th minute when Nor Fazly received his marching orders for tugging Lucero, and JDT went ahead a minute later. A goalmouth melee resulted in Diaz cutting a precise cross into the box for an unmarked Aidil Zafuan to steer home past Farizal.

#LigaSuper2016Aksi Liga Super sebentar tadi.pic.twitter.com/CE1zbFAiqN

That goal was the defender's first in JDT colours since last June. But more importantly, it gave JDT a priceless victory to put them seven points clear at the top, above unlucky Felda. Gomez's men will be crowned champions if they defeat Terengganu on Sep. 9.

Elsewhere, Kedah firmed their grip on third spot after Baddrol Bakhtiar's injury time winner gave them a 2-1 win over Kelantan at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium.

Halim Saari gave the visitors a 16th minute lead, before Wan Zack Haikal drew Kelantan level three minutes before the end. But Baddrol had other ideas, and his winner ensures Kedah have a three-point lead over Selangor, who could manage only a 1-1 draw against Sarawak.

The Red Giants ended the game with 10 men after defender Ugo Ukah was sent off in injury time. But K. Gunalan's side will return home with a point after Adam Nor Azlin cancelled out Junior Apreciado's 40th minute penalty.

It was red cards galore in the MSL as T-Team won 2-1 away to 10-man PDRM FA.

In Ipoh, Perak sent Penang back into the relegation zone after the Bos Gaurus thrashed the Panthers 4-1. Kenny Palraj, Ridzuan Azly, Fazrul Hazly and Elias Fernandes got on the scoresheet to place Perak safely in mid-table in sixth.

The relegation scrap between Terengganu and Pahang ended in a 1-1 draw, as Issey Nakajima Farran's 89th minute strike cancelled out Pablo Vranjican's opener just six minutes earlier.

Johor Darul Ta'zim: Izham Tarmizi (GK), Azamuddin Akil, Marcos Antonio, Aidil Zafuan, Safiq Rahim (C), Jorge Pereyra Diaz, S. Kunanlan, Hariss Harun, Fazly Mazlan (Azrif Nasrulhaq 86'), Juan Martin Lucero, Azniee Taib (Amri Yahyah 14')

Felda United: Farizal Harun (GK), Shukor Adan, Gilberto Carlos, Aizul Ridzwan, Nor Fazly Alias, Syahid Zaidon, Hadin Azman, Zah Rahan Krangar, Syamim Yahya (Mohd Ridzuan 69'), Francis Forkey Doe

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