PETALING JAYA: Terengganu may have been short of key players but not on spirit as they stood up to giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) by holding them to a 1-1 draw to shatter their dream of a perfect season.
What made the Turtles’ feat even more laudable was that they escaped with a point at the dreaded Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
JDT had won all 20 of their league matches so far and had already claimed their 12th title last month until Terengganu became the first team to break their 100 per cent record this season.
The visitors made the trip down south without several key players, including wingers Akhyar Rashid and Baqiuddin Shamsudin, who were out with shoulder and hamstring injuries respectively.
Terengganu also had to make do without Tajikistan forward Shervoni Mabatshoev and Congo’s Yann Mabella, who were unfit after returning from national team duty.
Even the options to field midfielder Saiful Jamaluddin and defenders Alif Zakaria and Safwan Mazlan were not available to interim coach Tengku Hazman Raja Hassan as they were suspended for one match.
But despite the heavy odds, Terengganu still managed to pull off a shocking result in Johor Baru.
The Southern Tigers had struck first through Bergson da Silva in the 23rd minute, and it looked as if the usual goal fest was imminent.
But Terengganu’s Tajikistan midfielder Ehson Panjshanbe turned hero for the visitors after he scored the equaliser in the 36th minute.
JDT’s last league draw came last season when they were held 1-1 by Police in July 2024.
They will now be fired up to prevent another hiccup when they play their next league match against Melaka on April 28.
Terengganu are fifth with 32 points and will take on Negri Sembilan on April 25.
