Newly crowned FA Cup champions Kedah roared to a 3-1 win over Negri Sembilan in their opening Group A match in the Malaysia Cup competition at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi, Seremban on Saturday.
 
At the Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor opened their chase for the 34th Malaysia Cup title by sharing points with Felda United in a Group D match while Pahang kickstarted their Group C campaign with a 3-1 win over Penang at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan.
 
Petaling Jaya City FC also collected full points in Group B with a 2-1 win over relegated PKNP FC (Perak SEDC) at the Petaling Jaya Stadium.
 
It was heartbreak for Selangor as the Red Giants led 2-0 at one stage with goals by Syazwan Zainon and Ifedayo Olusegun in the 32nd and 39th minutes respectively. The Fighters, however, known for their tremendous fighting spirit shared the spoils – netting through Christie Jayaseelan and Khairul Amri.
 
There was drama in Kuantan when Penang grabbed the lead through Julian Bottaro in the 50th minute the Elephants were back in the picture when Dickson Nwakaeme slotted in a penalty on 59 minutes.
 
That was all Pahang needed to turn the tide in their favor and when naturalized Gambia-born Malaysian Mohamadou Sumareh got the second in the 63rd minute it was all over for the Panthers. Muslim Ahmad headed in Pahang’s third goal in the 82nd minute off a freekick.
 
Kedah rode on Jonatan Bauman’s brace in the fourth and 83rd (penalty) and one by Shakir Hamzah (72nd). Negri, who have rested their head coach Mat Zan Aris for the Malaysia Cup,  pulled one back through Ferris Danial.
 
PJ City got their goals through Pedro Henrique and Elizeu Araujo while PKNP’s consolation goal came from Pedro Victor. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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