Wednesday, 7 September 2011

Defending Champions Kelantan win in style but Selangor lose

Super League champions Kelantan and Terengganu earned crucial away victories while Selangor's miserable season continued on the opening day of the Malaysia Cup yesterday.
Kelantan, the top seeds in Group C, endured a tough time against Sarawak at a packed stadium in Kuching before scoring twice in the second half through national striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (64th) and S. Chanturu (75th).

In another Group C match, Felda United earned a morale boosting 2-0 victory over a fumbling Johor FC at the JCorp Stadium.

Johor FC's poor finishing stood out like sore thumb in the first half as they were unable to take their chances well. Former international Farderin Kadir made it count for Felda with a header off a corner from Syazwan Zainon in the 44th minute before extending their lead in the 68th minute.
 
Terengganu, the former Malaysia Cup champions, were at their best in a 3-0 victory over Premier League side Sime Darby FC in a Group B match at the Selayang Stadium.

National player Joseph Kallang Tie and Reeshafiq Alwi were on target in the seventh and 35th minutes respectively in the first half. Former national Under-23 striker Manaf Mamat scored their third in the 82nd minute.

A 10-man Negri came from a goal down to edge Premier League champions PKNS FC 2-1 at the MBPJ Stadium. A mistake by Negri goalkeeper Farizal Marlias saw Mohd Norhafizuan Jailani giving PKNS the lead in the ninth minute but the visitors equalised seven minutes later through veteran Hairuddin Omar.

Negri, who controlled the rest of the half, took the lead when Shahurain Abu Samah rifled home a loose ball from the edge of the box in the 45th minute.

Negri keeper Farizal received a straight red from referee Zamzaidi Katiman for bringing down PKNS' Ashidi Dilashari in the 56th minute but the homesters failed to capitalise on their advantage.

In Group D, Kuala Lumpur were in devastating form as they notched a 3-0 victory over Police at the Paroi Stadium. An own goal by Azrul Azman handed KL a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute after Farid Ramli's shot from outside the box took a deflection off the Police centreback and looped over keeper Al-Husaini Ibrahim.

Police were reduced to 10 players after goalie Al-Husaini was red carded for bringing down Yong Kuong Yong in the box. Badrul Hisyam Azmi sent substitute keeper Hamdan Sairi the wrong way from the spot in the 64th minute before Kuong Yong extended their lead 12 minutes later.

Selangor's wretched season continued when they were edged by T-Team 1-0 in Kuala Terengganu. Norfazly Alias' close range effort, off a corner kick from Zairo Anuar Zailani in the 72nd minute earned T-Team their third straight victory over the former Super League champions.

Selangor dominated play after 20 minutes of the match but poor finishing due to a toothless strikeforce denied them from scoring.

Kedah topped Group A after securing a 2-0 victory over Premier League side Johor while in another match, Sabah and Perak drew 0-0.

Kedah's Khyril Muhymeen scored the goal of the season with a superb solo effort in the seventh minute. The national player outwitted two Johor defenders before rounding keeper Syamim Othman to tap home the ball before adding his second 10 minutes from time.

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