MSL: JDT reaffirm superiority as Pahang’s title hopes dashed

Johor DT seized control of the Malaysia Super League with one game left to be played, after running rampant in a 4-1 win over Perak last night.

Having lost by the exact same score line against Kelantan last weekend, the Southern Tigers were determined to not leave any stone unturned this time around, and their intention was evident from kick off.

Waves of attacks were launched on Perak, but the away side persevered and frustrated JDT, though it was always a matter of time. Inevitably, Luciano Figueroa, who has been fantastic for the Southern Tigers this year, opened the scoring with a header just before half time.

Two minutes after the restart, Nazrin Nawi fired home to make it 2-0, before Thiago Aquino pulled one back on the 61st minute to make it 2-1. But the home side were never going to let tonight slip off their hands, as S. Chanturu netted on the 66th minute to restore his side’s two-goal lead. Skipper Safiq Rahim then added the cherry with a fourth goal on the 77th minute, to wrap up a win that pushes them to the top of the league.

Meanwhile, Pahang’s title hopes took a major dent after they played out a frustrating 2-2 draw against Felda United. Despite playing at home, they struggled to break Felda down in the first half, with their best chance coming through Zesh Rahman on the 15th minute, though his attempt was parried away to safety by Farizal Harun.

Dickson Nwakaeme eventually broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half, sending the home fans into raptures. But their joy was shortlived as Felda restored parity through Fernandes Thiago, 14 minutes later. On the 68th minute, he added a second goal to now hand the lead to the away side.

At this point, there was a deafening silence within the Darul Makmur Stadium, considering that a defeat would potentially destroy their title hopes completely. But on the 78th minute, Damion Stewart head home to make it 2-2, and seal a point that leaves them two points behind JDT on the league table.

With one match left in the league, Pahang will have to beat Terengganu away from home next week, and hope that Felda make it difficult for the Southern Tigers.

The ball is certainly in JDT’s court.

FULL MSL RESULTS – Wednesday, August 19

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