SHAH ALAM: Felda United boost their chances of finishing in the top three of the Malaysia Super League standings after a 3-2 win over 10-man champions Johor Darul Ta'zim at the Shah Alam Stadium on Thursday.
Thiago Augusto Fernandes scored twice as Felda moved past Kedah and up to third after Darul Ta'zim played almost the entire second half a man down following the dismissal of centre-back Junior Eldstal.
Despite little riding on the result with Darul Ta'zim having already secured a fourth consecutive league title, both teams fielded their strongest side available.
All of Darul Ta'zim's big guns returned after being rested in last weekend's Malaysia Cup quarter-final return leg against Melaka, while Felda brought in defender Nor Fazly Alias for the suspended Dino Djulbic in their only personnel change.
Felda, forced to host the match in Shah Alam after Darul Ta'zim could not find hotel accommodation near the original venue in Jengka, stunned the champions when Fernandes opened the scoring in the 27th minute.
But Eldstal equalised 12 minutes later with his first goal in over two years which also happened to be the 100th goal scored by Darul Ta'zim in all competitions this year.
Felda, however, regained the lead just before the break when Fernandes set up Ifedayo Oluwaseyi to make it 2-1.
Darul Ta'zim were reduced to 10 men just two minutes into the second half when Eldstal was shown a second yellow card for a crude foul on Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Darul Ta'zim equalised 10 minutes later through Gonzalo Cabrera only for Fernandes to put Felda ahead for a third time in the 64th minute.
Safiq Rahim almost snatched a point for Darul Ta'zim but saw his shot hit the crossbar as the Johor club suffered only their third league defeat this season.