Pahang stay top

Strong second-half performance powers Dollah's side past Terengganu

PAHANG came out sharper in the second half, and it helped them open a two-point lead at the top of the Super League as they thrashed Terengganu 3-0 in Kuantan yesterday.

Armed Forces overcame Felda United 2-0 in Paroi to occupy second position on goal difference over Selangor, who were held 1-1 by Perak in a tense match at Lumut Stadium

After an eventful 75 minutes, Pahang opened accounts through substitute Hafiz Kamal's swerving free kick in the 77th minute before Fauzi Roslan's header extended their lead with his fifth goal of the season a minute later.

Hafiz completed the rout with a splendid strike inside the penalty box in the 89th minute.

"We wasted so many chances in the first half but luckily we made amends after the breather," said coach Dollah Salleh in Kuantan yesterday.

"Overall, I am happy with my players' performance and this immediate response after last weekend's defeat to Selangor will keep them motivated.

"We have opened a two-point lead and hopefully we can maintain it when the league resumes."

Forces scored a goal in each half for a 2-0 victory over Felda United, courtesy of goals from Marlon Alex James (16th) and Shukor Adan (56th).

The match officials made headlines in Lumut for making controversial decisions in Perak's 1-1 draw with 10-man Selangor.

Abdul Hadi Yahya thought he had scored a goal for Perak in the 16th minute but it was ruled off side but video replays suggested otherwise.

Referee Zulkifli Ahmad then showed Selangor's Amri Yahyah a yellow card for diving in Perak's box in the 35th minute but video replay showed that the attacking midfielder was held by defender Khairi Kiman.

Seven minutes later, the referee gave Amri a straight red after the match official had warned Selangor coach Irfan Bakti for being too vocal along the touchline.

Despite playing with one man short, Selangor returned for the second half stronger as they opened accounts through Forkey Doe's spectacular long range effort in the 66th minute.

The Liberia international picked up a loose ball and evaded two defenders before hammering home, giving Perak goalkeeper Khairul Amri Salehuddin no chance at all.

Perak equalised through Abdul Hadi in the 80th minute after Mohd Failee Ghazali was fouled in the box by Selangor captain Asraruddin Putra Omar.

In Shah Alam, Johor's Darul Takzim earned an important 3-1 away win over PKNS.

Safee Sali (19th), Ahmed Ezrie Shafizie Sazali (61st) and Daniel Guiza (87th) were on target for Darul Takzim while Faiz Isa replied for PKNS in stoppage time.

In Kota Baru, Kelantan were held 0-0 by Negri Sembilan while T-Team edged Singapore's LionsXII 1-0, courtesy of Badril Hisyam's 75th penalty in Kuala Terengganu.

T-Team's former Dutch international, George Boateng, was out injured while Caleb Folan, who used to don Republic of Ireland colours, was on the pitch for only 45 minutes before pulling a hamstring and had to be substituted by Fazuan Abdullah.

T-Team coach Peter Butler, impressed with the gritty performance of his players, especially in the second half when they were playing without Folan, said it was the fighting spirits of his young players that won them the game.

"They showed real character and I thought they controlled the game for a long spell before getting a penalty which was converted by Badrul (Hisham Morris) with about 15 minutes left on the clock.

Lions XII coach, V. Sundramoorthy said they had to pay the price for losing six key players to injuries and National Service commitments

"My boys played well under the circumstances and a draw would have been a fairer result but that was just an afterthought," he said.