Pahang maintain lead

PAHANG opened a three-point lead at the top of the Super League following a 2-1 win over Negri Sembilan at Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan yesterday.

PKNS FC and Felda United recorded their first wins while Armed Forces hammered T-Team 3-0 in Paroi.

Daniel Guiza's spectacular free-kick earned Darul Takzim a 1-1 draw with Kelantan while former league champions Selangor defeated Terengganu 2-1 for their first away win in 11 years over their east coast rivals.

Faizol Hussien provided one assist and scored one goal to maintain Pahang's perfect record in the league. Fauzi Roslan latched on to a wonderful pass from Faizol for the opening goal in the 28th minute.

Faizol then scored on the turn, off a Mohamed Borji pass, for Pahang's second goal in the 76th minute before Negri replied through Rahizi Rasib two minutes from time.

"I depended on my local players and they did well again for our third straight win. However, we should not have conceded the late goal," said Pahang coach Dollah Salleh.

Armed Forces, despite the absence of several regulars, were ruthless against T-Team, rifling in goals through Shukor Adan (47th), Rezal Zambery (65th) and Marlon Alex James (87th). T-Team started well but became disorientated after former Aston Villa midfielder George Boateng was substituted after 30 minutes.

Coach B. Sathianathan, delighted with the win, said: "My boys did well but are not quite there yet. It could have been harder if Boateng had played the entire match."

PKNS maintained their unbeaten home record against LionsXII by edging the Singapore side 1-0, courtesy of a Nazrin Syamsul Bahari's strike in the 78th minute at Shah Alam Stadium.

Mohammad Ghaddar's 40th minute goal earned Felda a 1-0 win over Perak in Lumut for the club's first win of the season.

In Kota Baru, a Kelantan side, still bitter from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha's decision to move to Darul Takzim, played aggressively against their star-studded opponents.

Darul Takzim were the first to threaten but Safee Sali's overhead kick was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat after 16 minutes.

Norfarhan Muhammad, however, sent the home fans into a frenzy with a long range strike in the 37th minute.

The 29-year-old picked up a loose ball in midfield and finished his run with a thunderous strike from his left foot.

Darul Takzim left Guiza on the bench but played former Lazio midfielder Simone Del Nero, who was substituted in the first half due to injury. The visitors brought on Guiza for Nurul Azwan Roya in the 51st minute and at that point, they had four strikers on the pitch.

National strikers Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Safee paired up in attack while Zaquan Adha Radzak and Guiza provided support. Guiza finally scored his first M-League goal when he curled his free kick around the wall in the 63rd minute.