JOHOR BARU (13 Aug 2015) – Malaysian Super League leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) kept their momentum going to defend the title after edging Lions XII of Singapore at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin, Johor Baharu last night.
Luciano Figueroa’s goal in the 55th minute was enough for the Southern Tigers to maintain their lead in the league with 43 points, and not only that, they kept their unbeaten home record intact since August 2013.
Nearest rivals Pahang, meanwhile, who are breathing down their neck, defeated Kelantan 5-3 at the Darul Makmur Stadium, Kuantan.
The Elephants’ goals were netted by R.Surendran in the 7th minute, Dickson Nwakaeme (8th), Matias Conti (43rd), Zeshan Rehman (53rd) and Azammuddin Mohd Akil (90th).
Mohd Nor Farhan Muhammad produced a hattrick for the Red Warriors with his goals coming in the 12th and 70th minutes and added time of the second half.
At the Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor edged bottom-placed Armed Forces(ATM) 3-2 and in the process dislodged Police from third place in the table standings.
The Red Giants’ goals were contributed by their Brazilian import Guilherme De Paula in the 32nd minute from a penalty, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri (48th) and Shahrom Kalam (55th).
ATM’s goals were scored by their Nigerian import, Abdulafees Abdulsalam in added time of the first half and Abdul Shukor Jusoh in injury time of the second half.
At the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu were given a hard time by Perak but prevailed 2-1.
The Turtles goals were supplied by midfielder Ismail Faruqi Ashari in the 21st minute and Canadian import Issey Nakajima-Farran four minutes later.
Bobby Gonzales scored the consolation goal for the visitors in the 36th minute.
This season’s minnows Sime Darby FC are looking at relegation to the Premier League after only managing a 1-1 draw with Sarawak at the Selayang Stadium tonight.
Billy Mehmet put Sarawak ahead in the 41st minute before Marko Perovic equalised for the hosts in the 75th minute.
With three matches left to go, Sime Darby FC handled by Ismail Zakaria are still stuck in 12th place with just six points from 19 matches.
In the sole Super League match played yesterday, Police had beaten Felda United FC 1-0 at the Shah Alam Stadium. – BERNAMA
