BY ZULHILMI ZAINAL Follow on Twitter
Round 2 of the Malaysia Super League was played out on Friday on the eve of Chinese New Year, with the two winning sides of round one, Selangor and Felda United FC failing to record a win.
Last year's league title rivals JDT and Felda United met at Larkin, and the home side recorded their first win of the season with a 3-1 scoreline. However it was the visitors who opened the scoring, through former JDT man Norshahrul Idlan Talaha's goal in the 23rd minute, his second goal in as many matches this season. But just four minutes later, the Southern Tigers equalised through defender Fadhli Shas' header. However the sending off of Hasni Zaidi Jamian for a second yellow in the 59th minute swung the momentum JDT's way, and they took the lead through goals by their new foreign signings. Argentinian forward Gonzalo Gabriel Cabrera gave his side the lead in the 62nd minute, before his compatriot Brian Federico Ferreira completed the comeback by adding JDT's third just three minutes later.
Selangor meanwhile were held to a 1-1 draw at the Selayang Municipal Stadium by promotion side Melaka United FC. Read our report here.
Hazrin Mohd Zaidun/CSN
Selangor's Victor Astafei (in the air) heading in his team's equaliser against Melaka United. Photo by Hazrin Mohd Zaidun/CSN
Pahang further solidified their reputation as one of the title challengers this season, with a 5-0 hammering of T-Team FC at the Darulmakmur Stadium. All of their goals were scored by their foreign signings; Mohamadou Sumareh (14'), Matheus Alves (55', 74'), Jae-Won Heo (66') and Bright Dike (85').
Kedah's match against Sarawak at the Darul Aman Stadium was another match that resulted in a comeback win for the home side. The visitors opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Mark Hartmann's freekick, but the Red Eagles equalised through Baddrol Bakhtiar's 22nd minute goal. But the gutsy Crocodiles went in front again just four minutes later through Tommy Mawat's goal, and it took Kedah until the 71st minute to equalise again, through Sandro Mendonca. But they did not have to wait long for the winner, as just a minute later a scintillating move initiated by Liridon Krasniqi ended with Syazwan Zainon beating Sarawak' offside trap, and curling the ball in for Kedah's third.
Kedah vs Sarawak match highlights
PKNS FC fell to their second straight defeat, losing 3-1 to Kelantan at the Shah Alam Stadium. Lebanese forward Mohamad Ghaddar scored a quick double in the 20th and the 22nd minute, but Gonzalo Soto pulled one back just before halftime. However the homeside's hopes for an equaliser were dashed by captain Badhri Razi's freekick goal, just four minutes into the second half.
PKNS vs Kelantan match highlights
Pulau Pinang too lost their second consecutive league match, falling to a 1-0 defeat to another northern side Perak at new home Batu Kawan. The only goal of the match was scored by Shahrul Saad in the 78th minute.
