KUALA LUMPUR: Darul Ta’zim’s unbeaten run in the Super League ended today when Benjamin Mora’s side were edged 2-1 by Perak in Ipoh while Kedah remained at the top following a 1-0 win over Kelantan in Kota Baru.
Bulgarian Vladislav Mirchev scored the winning goal for Perak in the 75th minute to condemn the star-studded Johor side to their first league defeat in 18 month.
Palestinian Yashir Pinto put the hosts ahead in the eighth minute after latching onto a long pass from Faton Toski but Darul Ta’zim hit back two minutes later through Ahmad Hazwan Bakri.
Substitute Mahali Jasuli almost drew level for the visitors when he was set up in the Perak box but the former international shot hit the side netting.
“There are a lot of things that we need to improve on. We have to learn from this defeat ahead of upcoming matches. It is still early in the season and there is no pressure,” Darul Ta’zim captain Safiq Rahim told TV9.
Baddrol Bakhtiar’s goal from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute earned Kedah a 1-0 win over Kelantan. The referee awarded Kedah a penalty after Syafiq Ahmad was fouled by Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Kedah lead the standings with 11 points, one more than second-placed Pahang, who thrashed Penang 6-1 in Kuantan, and third-place Perak.
Pahang led 2-1 at half-time over Penang through goals by Mohamadou Sumareh (17th) and Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria (25th) before Nigel Dabinyaba headed in the visitors’ first league goal in the 31st minute.
Joseph Kalang Tie (66th) and Matheus Alves (73rd) scored a goal each while Ashaari Samsudin added a brace in the 85th and 86th minutes to complete the rout.
“It is a very pleasing result after two previous tough games. We were determined to get a positive result today but we did not expect the impressive score line,” said Pahang defender Matthew Davies.
Penang assistant coach Darren Read said his team was punished for individual errors.
“There is obviously something wrong with Penang and we need to find a solution. We have to beef up the team with midfielders,” said Read.
Malacca recorded their first league win when Eric Williams’ side edged Sarawak 1-0 in Kuching through a Jeon Woo Young goal in the 14th minute.
PKNS scored two late goals to hold T-Team 2-2 in Kuala Terengganu.
T-Team took a 2-0 lead through Farhod Tadjiev’s brace in the 10th and 45th minutes but Khairul Ramadhan (79th) and Matias Hadwa (90th) replied for PKNS.