Both teams were slow off the starting blocks as Selangor played a cautious game early on, perhaps keen not to concede any unforced errors. But they almost did, as goalkeeper G. Jeevanathan once again had butter fingers, fumbling a cross only to be saved by his defender Ramez Dayoub who cleared Mickael Antoine’s effort off the line.

Safiq Rahim, who was missing for Selangor at the weekend, struck a free-kick inches wide as the Red Giants begin to take a grip on the game. Selangor coach Irfan Bakti then was forced into a reshuffle midway through the first half, withdrawing Solihin who appeared  injured and replacing Amirulhadi in his place.

The lanky midfielder played a crucial role in Selangor’s opening goal, fizzing a low cross which was fumbled by Felda goalkeeper Hamsani and Azidan gleefully smashed home the loose ball.

But the Red Giants’ lead only lasted nine minutes as Felda equalised with almost the last kick of the first half. There appeared little danger when Felda were awarded a free-kick from a tight angle, but Farderin Kadir curled home a sweet 25 yard beauty beyond Jeevanathan’s despairing dive as the keeper really should have done better.

Selangor were out of the traps like hungry wolves in the second half, eager to regain their lead. Bosko Balaban saw his free-kick come off the bar before the Giants took the lead barely a minute later. Fitri Shazwan did well, twisting his way past two defenders on the left before whipping in a cross which Azidan deftly headed home under pressure.

Felda had their chance to equalize right at the death, but Farid Kamil blasted horribly wide after Mickael Antoine’s lay-off set him up perfectly from six yards out.

So Selangor  go into the league break with a precious win, albeit a very nervy one.