Southern Tigers keep roaring

KUALA LUMPUR: The way Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are going, it is more than likely that they will be Super League champions for the sixth time in a row.

They easily defeated nearest rivals Pahang 2-0 at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium, Larkin on Tuesday night to collect 33 points after 13 matches, eight points more than Pahang who are trailing in second place.

In Tuesday night’s action, JDT coach Benjamin Mora brought on sensational young national player Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid in the second half, which paid dividends handsomely as he was the architect of the Southern Tigers’ first goal.

In a penetrating counter attack, the unguarded Muhammad Akhyar lobbed over the ball to captain Harris Harun to slot home their first goal in the 69th minute.

The former Kedah striker then had the thousands of home fans jumping with joy when he netted their second in added time (90th +3).

Meanwhile, the PJ City FCTerengganu FC clash at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium , Kuala Terengganu was “high drama” as the visitors came from 3-0 down to eke out a 5-3 victory.

All five PJ City FC goals came in the second half with their heroes being Elizeu Aralijo (49th minute), Pedro Henrique (57’, 80’), Washington Brandao (57’) and Mohamad Zamri Ramli (77’).

Terengganu’s goals were early ones with Kipre Tchetche opening accounts in the 10th minute followed by Mohamad Nabil Ahmad Latpi and Mohamad Ashari Samsudin scoring in the 17th and 19th minutes respectively.

Perak, still fresh from qualifying for the semifinals of the FA CUP, did not have much problems overcoming “younger siblings” PKNP FC, winning by 31 at the Perak Stadium, Ipoh.

Their two new Brazilian imports Raianderson da Costa Moraes and Ronaldo Henrique Silva showed that they were worthwhile buys, putting Perak 2-0 ahead in 30 minutes with their goals coming the 6th and 30 minutes.

PKNP FC managed to reduce the deficit when their import player Yashir Pinto scored in the 37th minute but Nazirul Naim Che Hashim buried any hopes they had left when he found Perak’s third in the 70th minute.

At the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur recorded their third win this season, edging PKNS FC 2-1.

The city boys goals were netted by captain Indra Putra Mahayuddin and Mohamad Azmi Muslim in the 27th and 56th minutes while the visitors’ goal was contributed by Romel Morales in the 4th minute. - Bernama