Pahang 2-3 Selangor: Red Giants extend lead
DEFENDING champions Selangor have opened up a massive eight-point lead at the top of the Super League standings after edging Pahang 3-2 at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan last night.
The Red Giants extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches to consolidate their position at the top of the 14-team standings with 47 points.
Skipper Mohd Amri Yahyah played a key role by scoring a brace in the 25th and 79th minutes before defender P. Gunalan added the third in the 81st minute.
Pahang reduced the deficit through Roslan Fauzi and Famirul Asraf Sayuti in the 42nd and 89th minutes respectively.
Selangor started without three key players – chief striker Mohd Safee Sali, midfielder Mohd Hardi Jaafar and defender Razman Roslan – and manager K. Devan, who were all serving out suspensions.
The absence of the three players was sorely felt as the Red Giants struggled against the Elephants to finish 1-1 in the first-half.
Amri had put the Red Giants ahead with a neat finish after latching onto Amirulhadi Zainal’s pass in the 25th minute before Pahang hit back with the equaliser through Roslan in the 42nd minute.
Amirulhadi could have restored Selangor’s lead after the break but the national midfielder muffed two sitters, including hitting the woodwork in the 62nd minute.
But Amri and Gunalan struck with two late goals in the 79th and 81st minutes to seal victory.
In Alor Setar, second-placed Kelantan were held to a goalless draw by Kedah at the Darulaman Stadium.
In Kelana Jaya, FA Cup champions Negri Sembilan’s miserable form continued after being held to a 1-1 draw by KL Plus FC.
Negri, who have lost five of their last eight matches, found themselves trailing to a Mohd Fadli Saari strike in the 64th minute.
Luckily for the Deer, Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak saved them the blushes with the equaliser in the 80th minute.
The Star
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