Johor Darul Takzim, with their sixth Malaysian Super League title already in the bag, had their pride dented when Petaling Jaya City FC inflicted a painful 1-0 defeat on the Southern Tigers in their own den – the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru on Tuesday.
It was JDT’s first defeat in 21 matches and the defeat meant the champions failed to repeat their unbeaten record of 2016 when they won the league title without defeat.
Still, JDT set the Malaysian Super League ablaze with an unprecedented sixth successive title and a place in next year’s AFC Champions League.
PJ City clinched all three points with Brazilian striker Washington Brandao netting the winner on 64 minutes. Brando was given a free run into the box and he finished off the move with a stiff shot into the left corner past goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.
It was a much-needed win for K. Devan and his team as they inched to eighth place in the league standings with 23 points after 21 matches.
For the record, PJ City had also beaten JDT 1-0 in a Malaysia Cup match last season also at the Larkin Stadium.
JDT maintained their top spot with a massive 52 points from 21 matches while Pahang, with a game in hand, sit in second place with 37 points. Kedah is third on 34 points, separated by goal difference from Selangor.
Melaka United stumbled to a 1-1 draw against PKNS FC at home at the Hang Jebat Stadium. The two points dropped at home has affected Melaka’s hopes of a third-place finish with only 33 points.
The evergreen Shukur Adan gave Melaka the lead after 53 minutes but Liberian hitman Kpah Sherman scored his 14th league goal for PKNS in the 80th minute to share the spoils. PKNS is in ninth place with 21 points.
