No joy for Kuala Lumpur on their return to iconic Merdeka Stadium

Kuala Lumpur's Martin Ekoule (left) vies for the ball with El Hadji Diouf of Sabah (in blue) in the Premier League match at Merdeka Stadium. Sabah won 2-0. - IBRAHIM MOHTAR/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The iconic Merdeka Stadium came alive again – 14 years after it last hosted a game on its hallowed turf.

And it was fitting that a former World Cup player – El Hadji Diouf of Senegal – starred at the historic venue.

Diouf scored off a penalty in the 47th minute to steer Sabah to a 2-0 win over Kuala Lumpur in the opening Premier League match.

Shafuan Adli Shaari added the second 10 minutes later.

This is the first time that a competitive football match is held at the stadium since the national team drew 1-1 with Cambodia in a friendly in 2001.

Kuala Lumpur last used the stadium as their home ground 17 years ago. Sadly, there was no joyous return for the City boys.

Skipper Diouf cooly beat Kuala Lumpur goalkeeper Badrol Hanapi Ali from the spot after Leopold Alfonso was fouled in the box by Ahmad Jihad Ismail in the 47th minute.

That goal endeared Diouf to the Sabah faithfuls as they sang his name when the team left the pitch at half-time.

The 34-year-old Diouf also had a hand in the second goal. His pass from the halfway line sent Azizan Nordin scampering to whip in a cross into the middle of the box for an unmarked Shafuan to score from close range in the 57th minute.

In Tanjong Malim, Francis Doe fired a brace to steer Negri Sembilan to a 3-1 win over DRB-Hicom at the Proton Stadium.

The Liberian was on target in the 48th and 78th minutes after compatriot Jean Alexandre had put the Deer ahead in the 16th minute.

Fakrullah Rosli equalised for DRB-Hicom in the 25th minute.

PKNS FC also got off to a bright start after defeating T-Team 2-0 at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya. Argentine striker Gonzalo Soto (56th minute) and Munir Amran (58th) were on target.