Felda keep pace with JDT after win over Police

PETALING JAYA: Felda United kept the pressure on Super League leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) after recording a comfortable 2-1 win over Police at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca.

Last night, the Fighters opened the scoring with a header by Uzbekistan midfielder Lutfulla Turaev in the 35th minute before Liberian striker Francis Doe doubled their lead in the 61st minute.

The Cops narrowed the deficit through Malian centreback Souleymane Konate in the 75th minute.

Police played with a five-man defence to stifle Felda’s attack, which was led by top scorer Doe.

It took Felda 35 minutes to break the deadlock, thanks to Turaev’s bullet of a header.

Doe finally got his goal a minute into the one hour mark when he latched on to Mohd Syamim Yahya’s cross.

Konate’s strike, 15 minute before time, ended up as mere consolation for Police.

Felda remained second in the 12-team Super League with 34 points after 14 matches – two points behind defending champions JDT.

Selangor’s title hopes suffered a dent after being held to a 1-1 draw by basement side Penang at the City Stadium in George Town.

The Panthers went ahead through Fitri Omar in the 26th minute before Patrick Wleh saved Selangor the blushes with the equaliser in the 33rd minute.

Selangor remain in third spot with 26 points – 10 points behind JDT.

At the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar, New Zealand international Shane Smeltz scored the winner in the 50th minute to help Kedah edge Terengganu FC II 1-0 on a rain-sodden pitch.

Smeltz’s spectacular volley on the turn saw the ball zip into the top corner, leaving Terengganu FC II goalkeeper Muhd Ilham Amirullah no chance.

Both teams continued to push for goals but struggled to get going on the wet surface. The match started 15 minutes late due to the heavy rain.

In Ipoh, Perak continued their revival under legendary coach Karl-Heinz Weigang as they beat Terengganu 2-0 at the Perak Stadium.

Midfielder D. Kenny Palraj broke the deadlock in the 25th minute before Brazilian striker Elias de Oliviera extended their lead in the 78th minute for their second straight win.

At the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium, Kelantan were held to a goalless draw by Pahang.