By K. Rajan
KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah's four-match winning run in the Super League came to a halt after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sri Pahang at Darul Makmur Stadium last night.
The Red Eagles got off to a flying start by opening the scoring through Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik in the 11th minute. Amirul rifled his shot into the top corner of the net from the edge of the box.
But Kedah's lead lasted only 18 minutes as the Elephants struck the equaliser through South Sudanese forward Kenjok Kenny Athiu who netted after receiving
Manuel Hidalgo's lobbed pass.
Kedah's reserve Syazwan, after only three minutes on the field, scored with a low shot in the box in the 67th.
But an own goal from Kedah's Loqman Hakim, three minutes from time, denied the visiting team full points.
Kedah, who were without two of their imports - Lebanese midfielder Rabih Ataya and Liberian striker Kpah Sherman - due to national call-up, were a bit loose in midfield as they struggled to cope with Pahang's pressing game.
Despite the draw, Kedah remain second in the 12-team Super League with 39 points from 19 matches, while Pahang are ninth with 18 points from 20 matches.