Terengganu coasted to a 3-2 win over Negri Sembilan – thanks to a hat-trick by Ivory Coast striker Kipre Tchetche – in Wednesday’s Super League match played at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.
The win would not have come at a better time for the Turtles. Irfan Bakti’s side is not in fifth place with 27 points after 17 matches while Negri remained in the relegation zone in 11th place with only 12 points.
However, Terengganu’s hopes of a top-three finish in the 12-team league remains a distant dream.
Negri gave the home team a tough time and even led 2-1 at half-time after Tchetche fired Terengganu into the lead after 31 minutes – taking advantage of a defensive lapse by the opponents.
The Deer equalized on 43 minutes through Nicolas Velez and just before the break was 2-1 in front Flavio Junior headed home a corner kick.
Terengganu hauled themselves back into the picture in the 55th minute and it was Tchetche in the scoresheet via a penalty. Tchetche ensured full points for the team with the winner in the 66th minute.
In another Super League match played at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras, the City Boys shared the spoils with PKNP (Perak SEDC) with a 1-1 draw. KL has 20 points (9th place) while PKNP is a rung below on with 18 points. RIZAL ABDULLAH
SUPER LEAGUE RESULTS (June 27, Wed)
Terengganu 3 N. Sembilan 2
KLumpur 1 PKNP 1
