JDT let Selangor escape with a draw

By K. RAJAN

KUALA LUMPUR: The killer instinct was surprisingly missing from the Southern Tigers as they let their prey, Selangor, get away with a point in a Super League match last night.

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) squandered two penalty kicks in the 1-1 draw at their lair - the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.

It was the Red Giants who drew first blood when they seized a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute through Nigerian striker Ifedayo Olusegun.

But no sooner than five minutes later, JDT equalised through Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva.

JDT were the dominant side, and their possessive play resulted in a spot kick when their wonder kid Arif Aiman Hanapi was felled inside the box by Selangor defender Ashmawi Yakin.

However, Argentine forward Gonzalo Cabrera shockingly blasted the ball high in the 43rd minute.

The Super League champions earned another penalty when Selangor defender Ahmad Zikri Khalili sent Arif sprawling.

But Bergson's penalty attempt was saved by Selangor custodian Khairul Azhan Khalid in the 79th minute.

Pressing for a winner, JDT threw the kitchen sink at the Red Giants as the hosts attacked on all fronts.

However, Selangor stubbornly held on, and became the first team this season to deny JDT a win.

However, JDT remain top of the 12-team standings on goal difference with 10 points from four matches as second-placed Terengganu also dropped points at home.

The Turtles were held to a 1-1 draw by Melaka at the Sultan Mizan Stadium. The Mousedeer grabbed the lead in the third minute after Terengganu defender Mohamad Shahrul Nizam Ros Hasni handled the ball in the box. Melaka's Alex Goncalves fired home his spot-kick.

But Ghanaian forward Jordan Mintah maintained the Turtles' unbeaten run this season when he scored the equaliser in the 66th minute.

At the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Star, Kedah came from behind to defeat Petaling Jaya City 3-1.

PJ City had stunned the Red Eagles in the 39th minute when striker M. Kogileswaran Raj converted a penalty kick after replacing the injured Darren Lok seven minutes earlier. Kedah's Fandi Othman was penalised for fouling Sunil Chandran.

However, Kedah turned on the heat in the second half with goals from skipper Baddrol Bakthiar (47th), Kpah Sherman (51st) and Fayadh Zulkifli (85th).

Kuala Lumpur flexed their muscle at the KLFA Stadium, recording a 3-0 win over Perak. The City Boys' goals were scored by Dominique Da Sylva (41st minute) and by Romel Morales (47th and 66th).

RESULTS

SUPER LEAGUE

JDT 1 SELANGOR 1, TERENGGANU 1 MELAKA 1, KEDAH 3 PJ CITY 1, KUALA LUMPUR 3 PERAK 0

PREMIER LEAGUE

PERAK II 0 N. SEMBILAN 2

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