PETALING JAYA: Melaka fought back to hold Pahang to a 1-1 draw, but the match was marred by some questionable calls, especially a red card to Pahang’s Nor Azam Azih from the referee, which irked the Pahang bench.
The game started with a moment of calamity from Melaka’s goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat in the fourth minute that gave Pahang the lead when the national goalkeeper fumbled Nor Azam’s freekick, and Herold Goulon took advantage by tapping the ball into the net.
That goal lighted up the match, as both sides exchanged attacks and the midfield battle was certainly a feast to the eyes.
In the second-half, Melaka started as the better side when in the 47th minute, Casagrande’s looping header was not cleared well by Pahang’s defence and Liridon Krasniqi took advantage of it, but his meek header was smothered quickly by Pahang’s goalkeeper Helmi Eliza Elias.
Helmi could have turned into a villain when he spilt Darko Markovic’s shot from outside the box, but he was quick to pounce on Casagrande’s follow-up.
Pahang should have added their second goal in the 64th minute when Nor Azam’s stinging shot from inside the box hit the bar, and the rebound fell to Ze Love but the Brazilian shot the ball straight at Khairul Fahmi.
In the 80th minute, Pahang were left with 10 men when Nor Azam was given a second yellow for an innocuous tackle on Markovic. The decision wasn't taken well by the Pahang players, as they felt it was not worth a yellow card.
Melaka certainly capitalised on that advantage, as substitute S. Deevan Raj was the architect of their attacks with his crosses from the right, but Casagrande was foiled in the 81st and 83rd minutes by the impressive Helmi.
Helmi’s hard work was undone when he pulled Casagrande to the ground to give Melaka a penalty. Safiq Rahim scored from the spot to give Melaka the equaliser.
The scoreline stood at 1-1, as both sides shared the spoils in Melaka.
In Alor Setar, Kedah were imperious as they thrashed Felda United 4-0 at the Darulaman Stadium. The goals were scored by Zaquan Adha Abd Razak, Anmar Almubaraki, Syakir Hamzah and Fadzrul Danel Nizam.
At the Manjung Municipal Council Stadium, Petaling Jaya City came back from 2-1 down to beat home side PKNP 3-2. R. Barathkumar was the hero, as he scored the winning goal to give PJ City its first win of the season. The other two goals were scored by their Brazilian twin towers Pedro Henrique and Giancarlo Rodrigues
PKNP’s goals were scored by Kalidou Yero Coulibaly and Hafiz Ramdan.
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