Selangor’s Nigerian hitman Ifedayo Olusegun was on fire at the Shah Alam Stadium as the Red Giants won a seven-goal thriller against Pahang for a 5-2 win to regain their third place in the Malaysian Super League on Tuesday.
Olusegun, 28, scored a grand hat-trick for the former kingpins of Malaysian football – striking in the 36th, 43rd and 86th minutes – to take his tally to eight goals. The win came in the wake of a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Johor Darul Takizm away last week.
Former international Khyril Muhymeen opened the floodgates for Selangor against the East Coast giants on 30 minutes. Pahang coach Dollah Salleh rested several of his first-team players to rest them for the return-leg FA Cup semi-final match against Perak in Ipoh this weekend.
Selangor was also not at full strength due to suspensions and injuries. Tough tackling Australian defender Taylor Regan was a non-starter to serve a suspension after he picked up his sixth booking when playing against JDT.
First choice goalkeeper Farizal Harun is under a five-match suspension while K. Sarkunan was given a direct red card in the defeat to JDT at Larkin. Syahmi Safari, Syazwan Zainon are among those on the crock list.
Brazilian midfielder Endrick Dos Santos got Selangor’s fourth goal in the 46th minute before Pahang reduced the deficit through R. Kogileswaran (68th) and Mohamadou Sumareh (77th).
With Pahang’s defeat, JDT can seal their sixth consecutive Super League title with a win over Melaka United at Larkin on Wednesday.
The Southern Tigers hold a 13-point lead at the top with 43 points. Despite the defeat, Pahang remained in second place with 30 after 17 matches. Selangor is third on 28 from 18 matches.
Perak, 3-2 winners over Felda United at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka moved fourth place in 27 points.
The Bos Gauros netted through Ronaldo Henrique Silva (22nd), J. Partiban (34th) and Careca (53rd). The Fighters got their goals through Hadin Azman (81st) and Kei Ikeda (82nd).
In another Super League match, PKNP (Perak SEDC) and PKNS FC battled to a 2-2 draw in Manjung. RIZAL ABDULLAH
