Terengganu remain winless as lucky JDT escape with a point

Darul Ta’zim (JDT) experienced their first taste of the possible challenges to come in the Super League when the defending champions were held 2-2 by Terengganu at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu on Friday.

After being denied a penalty in the third minute, the home side took the lead when Khairul Izuan Rosli slotted in a Lee Tuck cross in the seventh minute.

JDT were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute but Brazilian Diogo Santo missed from the spot. However, the visitors were not to be denied an equaliser when substitute Safawi Rasid scored from their second spot-kick in the 62nd minute.

Santo then made amends for his earlier miss by adding JDT’s second seven minutes later before Kamal Azizi Zabri

netted the equaliser for Terengganu in the final minute.

JDT have collected seven points from three matches, five more than Terengganu, who have yet to secure a win this season.

Although the draw on Friday was a hiccup, JDT have equalled their previous best of seven points (after three matches), achieved in 2016.

Terengganu coach Irfan Bakti said his players were disciplined and focused throughout the match.

“I do not want to talk about the refereeing aspect, I prefer to comment about the point we earned today,” said Irfan on Friday.

“If my players can continue with this positive momentum against Kuala Lumpur next week, I believe we can secure our first win of the season.

“I am not worried about the situation we are in at the moment. We played against strong oppositions in our opening matches (against Pahang and PKNS) before taking on JDT today, so I think we will start winning soon.”

JDT manager Luciano Figueroa said: “Everything that we had planned today did not work.

“The players sat back after taking the lead in the second half... I reminded them at half-time not to do that. I hope we can improve on this.

“However, credit to Terengganu for their good game. It is always tough to take on a team who give more than 200 per cent effort in a match.

“I hope we will do better in all aspects in the next matches,” said the former Argentina international.