GEORGE TOWN: An Azamuddin Akil (pic below - BERNAMA) hat-trick steered defending champions Pahang to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Police in their opening Malaysia Cup Group D match.
Pahang started the match at the Darulmakmur Stadium last night without injured skipper Razman Roslan and top marksman Dickson Nwakaeme, who was on the bench.
But the duo’s absence was hardly felt as the defending champions needed just three minutes to open accounts through Azamuddin’s long range effort.
The cops drew level through Dramane Traore in the 12th minute, but Azamuddin restored Pahang’s lead in the 35th minute by turning in Zesh Rahman’s header from a R. Gopinathan corner.
Azamuddin completed his treble in the 66th minute but Police refused to be cowed and scored twice to draw level at 3-3 with 15 minutes remaining.
Cue Nwakaeme.
Pahang coach Zainal Abidin Hassan threw the striker on with 10 minutes to go, and he giant Nigerian delivered the winning goal with virtually his first touch of the ball.
In the other Group D match, Penang’s proud unbeaten record in all competitions at the City Stadium this year was brought to an end by PKNS FC.
The Panthers received a resounding 3-0 beating from the Selangor club side, who got their goals through Nazrin Shamsulbahri (16th), Gabriel Guerra (18th) and Nizam Abu Bakar (54th).
Penang’s wet and miserable night got worse after Brazilian Hilton Moreira (pic, above - CHARLES MARIASOOSAY/ The STAR) was sent off.
Sarawak joined Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the top of the Group B with three points after nicking a 1-0 win over Armed Forces in Kuching. JDT had beaten Perak 2-0 on Friday.
A brace from Makeche Ndumba and a goal from veteran midfielder Indra Putra Mahayuddin allowed Felda United defeat T-Team 3-0 at the Selayang Stadium.
The Planters now share top spot in Group C with Kelantan, who disposed Selangor by the same scoreline at the Shah Alam Stadium.
In Group A, Lions XII were held to a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium by Premier League champions Kedah, who went ahead in the 17th minute through a powerful shot by Brazilian midfielder Sandro da Silva.
The home side equalised two minutes later when Shahdan Sulaiman’s attempt took a wicked deflection off Kedah player Osman Yusoff to wrong-foot goalkeeper Abdul Hadi Hamid.
Kedah finished with 10 men after Rizal Ghazali picked up his second booking late in the match.
All the four teams in the group are level on one point each as Terengganu could only draw nil-all with Johor Darul Ta’zim II in Kuala Terengganu.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
