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*JDT II set the pace in the Premier League with 5-2 win over Kuantan FA

* UiTM FC gun down Sabah 2-1

Johor Darul Takzim II are fast establishing themselves as Premier League title contenders with another big win – this a 5-2 win over Kuantan FA in their first home match at the Pasir Gudang Stadium on Friday.

Shafiq Shaharuddin and skipper Shahril Ishak hit a brace each to power JDT II for a winning start at home on a day when Sabah fell to a surprise defeat to UiTM Fc in Shah Alam while Negri Sembilan dropped valuable points at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in their 1-1 draw to SPA Putrajaya.

It was the Johor outfit’s second win where they hit five goals after defeating SPA Putrajaya 5-1 in an away match played at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in Kelana Jaya. In the first match JDT II struggled to a 2-1 win over UItM FC at Stadium UiTM in Shah Alam.

Shafiq, who is expected to be called up for the national squad for the SEA Games in Singapore in June, opened the floodgates for JDT II on 29 minutes before Shahril scored in the 36th and 54th minutes. Shafiq got his second in the 58th minute while Argentine hitman Leandro Velasquez completed the rout with JDT’s fifth in the 74th minute.

Kuantan’s consolation goals came via Milan Purovic (32nd) and Razreen Jesni (78th).

Coach K Devan was left fuming with Negri’s 1-1 draw against Putrajaya at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in an afternoon match played in hot and humid conditions. Devan also had a lot to say about the hard and bumpy pitch which is fast becoming a bane to visiting teams.

Francis Forkey Doe gave Negri the lead after 21 minutes Putrajaya shared the spoils with the equaliser by Nik Azlam Nik Januaha on 81 minutes.

“It was a bad result for Negri. We should have won all three points but instead lost two valuable points. The hot and humid conditions plus the bad pitch also contributed to our downfall. I must admit that it was a poor game overall and we failed to create chances,” said Devan.

UiTM FC coach Azuan Zain was all smiles after the morale boosting win over the much touted Sabah – thanks to a double from Raslam Khan who found the net in the 25th and 39th minutes while Senegal World Cupper Rl-Hadji Diouf scored for the East Malaysians from a penalty for his third goal in as many matches.

“We would have been happy with a draw but to collect full points against a strong Sabah side is a bonus for the team. However, the players gave committed performance for the win,” said Azuan.

Sabah coach Justin Ganai said there are still many shortcomings that need to be ironed out.

At the City Stadium, Penang scored a lucky 1-0 win over PKNS FC with Alberto Goncalves converting a penalty in the dying minutes of the first-half.

Kuala Lumpur fell to a 1-0 defeat to DRB Hicom in Tanjung Malim while Kedah gave another disappointing performance in their scoreless draw against T-Team at the Darul Aman Stadium in Alor Star.

PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS (Feb 20)

Penang    1       PKNS    0

Kedah       0      T-Team    0

JDT II    5    Kuantan FA   2

SPA Putrajaya    1    N. Sembilan    1   

UiTM FC   2    Sabah    1

DRB Hicom    1    K. Lumpur    0

 

PICTURES by www.asiana.my

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