PKNP FC, Malaysia Cup, 04072017PKNP FC Facebook

ROUND-UP: JDT, PKNP signal intent in Malaysia Cup matchday 1


BY        ZULHILMI ZAINAL       Follow on Twitter


Group A

In Group A, Premier League leaders Negeri Sembilan held Pahang, currently in second place in the Super League, to a 2-2 draw at the Darulmakmur Stadium. Mid-season signing Jonathan Behe opened the scoring for the visitors one minute before halftime, but Matheus Alves gave the hosts the lead through his brace; in the 58th and 64th minute. Lee Tuck however earned the Deers an away point, with his 76th minute goal.

Highlights from the Negeri Sembilan vs Pahang match

Premier League's Malaysia Cup debutants PKNP FC meanwhile recorded the upset of the round, when they defeated Super League side T-Team FC 2-1 in Kuala Terengganu. Shahrel Fikri Fauzzi opened the scoring for the visitors in the 23rd minute, with a stunning drive from the edge of the Titan's penalty box. The hosts found the equaliser in the 52nd minute through Mahamadou Samassa's goal, but Shahrel replied instantly not a minute later, again from the edge of the box, a curling low shot into the far corner.

PKNP goals against T-Team

Group B

Perak beat PKNS FC with a 2-0 scoreline, although they were made to wait until the final 20 minutes to score. Gilmar Jose Da Silva missed a chance to convert a penalty awarded to the hosts just before halftime, and the first half ended scoreless. Thiago Junio however opened the scoring in the 71st minute, before Gilmar made amends 10 minutes later by doubling the Bos Gaurus' lead.

Highlights from the Perak vs PKNS match

At the Tunku Abdul Razak Stadium, Felda United were held to a goalless draw against Kuala Lumpur, who are currently second in the Premier League. Amazingly, it was reported that the Fighters' head coach Bhaskaran Sathianathan only realised that playmaker Zah Rahan Krangar was eligible to play in the match halfway through the game. The Liberian had earlier been sent off for a post-match altercation following their 2-1 win over Pahang in the Super League last Saturday.

Photos from the Felda United vs Kuala Lumpur match

Group C

2016 champions Kedah recovered from their weekend defeat in the Super League to record a 2-0 win over Melaka United at the Darul Aman Stadium. Sandro da Silva gave Kedah the lead in the 29th minute through his volley from outside the Mousedeers' penalty box, and Baddrol Bakhtiar doubled their lead in the 64th minute. 

Goals from the Kedah vs Melaka United match

Kelantan too recovered from their weekend defeat, beating the other debutants UiTM FC 3-1 at home. Khairul Izuan Rosli scored a brace (41', 63'), while Abou Bakr Al Mel added their third goal deep in injury time. The university boys' goal meanwhile was scored by Akanni Sunday Wasiu in the 52nd minute.

Photos from the Kelantan-UiTM match

Group D

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) signalled that they may take this year's competition more seriously than they did the previous editions, when they hammered Sarawak 4-0 in Larkin. The goals were scored by Marcos Antonio (12'), Gabriel Guerra (27', 73') and Ignacio Insa (83').

JDT vs Sarawak match highlights

At the Selayang Municipal Stadium, Selangor were held to a 1-1 draw by Premier League side Terengganu. The hosts took the lead two minutes from halftime through Rufino Segovia's goal after Liberian striker Forkey Doe earlier missed a penalty in the 31st minute. However, the visitors were awarded a penalty themselves in the 64th minute after Issey Nakajima-Farran was fouled by Ugo Ukah, and the Canada international did not miss from the spot.

Selangor vs Terengganu match highlights

Matchday 2 of the group stage will be played this weekend, over Friday and Saturday.

Advertisement