Football
Nicolas Anil 8y

JDT have been waiting to make Malaysia Super League history - Safiq

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) captain Safiq Rahim hailed the determination of his teammates who overcame some debatable refereeing decisions to beat Felda United 3-2 on Wednesday night to move within the cusp of a third consecutive league crown.

Victory at home against lowly Terengganu on Sep. 9 will seal JDT the Malaysia Super League title, making them the first team to win it three consecutive times.

"We are on the verge of history now, and this is what the players have been waiting for all season. Despite conceding two goals, we showed immense character to get the winning goal," said Safiq, who saw his free kick chalked off by the assistant referee in the fifth minute, despite replays suggesting the entire ball had crossed the line.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz's first-half injury time effort was also contentiously waved away as the JDT players surrounded the referee to protest the decision at half-time, with the game in the balance at 2-2.

That incidents wouldn't matter as defender Aidil Zafuan netted the winner in the 59th minute to propel the Southern Tigers for a priceless victory away from home.

JDT coach Mario Gomez was insistent both goals should have counted, but the Argentine was already looking forward to the Terengganu match.

"If you watch the replay, I think both chances were goals. But I am proud of my players, who put up a great fight against a good Felda side. We have another game to win before we become champions, we will take a short rest before preparing for that," Gomez said.

Selangor interim coach K. Gunalan, meanwhile, was left lamenting his side's failure to find a winner against Sarawak after both sides drew 1-1 at Sarawak Stadium.

"We should have scored another goal in the last five minutes, looking at our performance late on. We will improve on that ahead of our Malaysia Cup quarterfinal against PKNS FC," said Gunalan, who chose not to elaborate on the scuffle between his defenders Bunyamin Umar and Ugo Ukah on the pitch in injury time.

The Red Giants management is expected to issue a warning letter to both players.

Ukah, who was sent off, and Umar are understood to have made peace after the game.

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