KOTA BARU: Defending champions Kelantan earned their first victory in the Malaysia Cup after labouring to a 2-0 win over Terengganu at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium on Saturday.
Nigerian forward Dickson Nwakaeme’s headed goal in the 10th minute and former Terengganu player Zairo Anuar Zailani’s 72nd minute strike were enough to condemn the Turtles to their second straight defeat in Group C.
Striker Mohd Norfarhan Mohamad got a spot in the Red Warriors’ starting eleven in place of the Ahmad Fakri Shaarani. The former international did not waste much time in making his presence felt when he shot just wide off a goalmouth melee in the fifth minute.
And Norfarhan played an instrumental role in Kelantan’s opening goal five minutes later.
Nwakamae rose unchallenged to glance home Norfarhan’s cross into the bottom corner of the net.
The Nigerian should have doubled his tally in the 15th minute, but shot straight at Terengganu goalkeeper Mohd Sharmiza Yusoff after being teed up by Indra Putra Mahayuddin.
Terengganu’s best chance of the first half fell to Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin, who saw his long-range effort come off the upright with Kelantan custodian Khairul Fahmi Che Mat well beaten.
Indra then saw his effort come off the Terengganu woodwork, and Kelantan should have made it 2-0 in the 26th minute when they were awarded a penalty.
Terengganu skipper Hasmizan Kamarodin brought down Norfarhan in the box, but Obinna Nwaneri let the Turtles off the hook with a tame shjot that was easily saved by Shamirza.
Terengganu brought on Farderin Kadir and Fakrilrazi Musa early in the second half to spice up the Turtles’ attack. But it was Kelantan who continued to create the best chances, with Indra blazing over in the 66th minute when clean through on goal.
But the Red Warriors were not to be denied their second goal when substitute Zairo curled a sweetly struck freekick into the top corner 18 minutes from the end.
In Kuching, Premier League champions Sarawak turned the tables on favourites and Super League winners Lions XII for a 2-1 win in their Group D match at the Sarawak Stadium.
The East Malaysians raced into a comfortable 2-0 lead through Shakir Hamzah (11th) and Joseph Kallang Tie (71st).
The visitors reduced the deficit through midfielder Safuwan Baharuddin in the 76th minute.
The win puts Sarawak back in contention for a place in the quarter-finals after their 2-1 opening loss to Perak in Ipoh last Tuesday.
It’s been a disappointing start to the Malaysia Cup campaign for the Lions, who could only draw 2-2 with Kedah at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
In Alor Setar, Alen Guc salvaged a point for Kedah with a last-gasp equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Perak in another Group D match at the Darulaman Stadium.
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