SHAH ALAM: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are slowly asserting their dominance in the Malaysian Super League after they beat home side Selangor 4-2 at the Shah Alam Stadium Friday (March 1).
The Southern Tigers, backed by their legion of fans, were clinical and effective in the game as their goals were scored by Leandro Velasquez (sixth and 67th min), Diogo Santo (13th) and Gonzalo Cabrera (41st).
Selangor showed drive and determination, but it wasn't enough as they succumbed to their second defeat of the season. Their goals were scored by Endrick Santos (32nd) and Rufino Segovia (45th).
The first-half proved to be an entertaining affair as five goals were scored.
It was Johor who drew first blood through Velasquez in the sixth minute, whose shot deflected off a Selangor defender.
JDT continued its excellence by doubling its lead in the 13th minute through Diogo, who capitalised on a spill from Selangor goalkeeper Khairul Azhan Khalid.
Those two goals certainly woke Selangor up, and they got the first goal through Brazilian midfielder Endrick in the 32nd minute, whose blistering shot from outside the box beat JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.
Momentum was with Selangor, but JDT somehow caught the team on the break when Cabrera scored the Southern Tigers’ third goal in the 41st minute.
Selangor’s never-say-die attitude showed when birthday boy Segovia, who turned 34 today, scored a header off a Faiz Nasir’s cross in the dying minutes of the first-half to reduce the deficit by one goal.
Selangor’s hard work was undone in the 68th minute when Velasquez got his second goal of the night after he capitalised on a meek save from Khairul Azhan to give JDT a 4-2 lead.
The scoreline stood at 4-2 as JDT currently top the Super League standings with 13 points after five matches while Selangor stays at ninth with three points.
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