SgorFoot
PETALING JAYA: Selangor’s winning run in all competitions was halted by Penang in a rain-soaked Super League match in Georgetown.
The Red Giants' bid to extend their winning run to eight was stopped after the home side held them to a 1-1 draw at the City Stadium in Georgetown on Saturday (Jan 25).
Chilean striker Ronnie Fernandez scored the first goal with a superb volley off a Quentin Cheng cutback in the ninth minute.
Heavy downpours affected the game as both sides struggled to play their style of football due to the waterlogged field.
However, Penang’s persistence paid off when they were awarded a penalty in the dying stages of the game after a video assistant referee (VAR) check showed Selangor captain Safuwan Baharuddin fouling a player in the box.
Brazilian centreback Rafael Vitor was the hero for Penang as he scored from the penalty spot, beating Selangor goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz.
The draw sees Selangor cementing the second spot with 39 points from 18 matches, while Penang move to 10th with 16 points from 18 games.
In another match, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) extended their lead at the top by 13 points after beating Terengganu 1-0 at the Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak.
Spanish midfielder Juan Muniz was the lone goalscorer in the 13th minute, finishing a long pass from wingback Oscar Arribas.
Terengganu remain fourth in the league with 24 points from 17 games, while JDT have 52 from 18 matches.
In the evening fixture, Sabah beat Negri Sembilan 2-1 at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi.
The Rhinos’ goals were scored by Indonesian winger Saddil Ramdani (sixth minute) and Brazilian striker Joao Pedro (71st minute).
Negri’s consolation goal was scored by Myanmar winger Hein Htet Aung in the 84th minute.
Sabah stay third with 32 points from 17 matches, while Negri remain 12th with nine points from 17 games.