JOHOR BAHRU, July 25 – Seven-time Malaysian Super League champions, Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) woke up in the second-half for a convincing 3-1 win over bottom placed UiTM FC in a second round match played at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru on Sunday.
The Johor outfit tightened their grip at the top with 33 points after 14 matches. Terengganu FC, after their 5-0 win over Perak FC at home on Saturday is second on 30 points.
However, it was 42nd minute jolt that the Southern Tigers woke up from their slumber after UiTM FC took the lead against the run of play with new Brazilian signing Joel Vinicus found the net when he slotted home into an empty net off an assist from another new addition Kwon Yong-hyun of South Korea.
Once the Southern Tigers got into rhythm after the time break there was no stopping Benjamin Mora’s team.
Gonzalo Cabrera struck on 50 minutes for the equaliser to swing the tide in his team’s favor and JDT struck again in the 72nd minute with international Safawi Rasid on target.
Brazilian hitman, who had a poor outing in the recent AFC Champions League in Bangkok, scored his 12th goal in the league in the 88th minute.
At the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan, Sri Pahang scored in the first minute through new signing Manuel Hidalgo against Melaka United. The 22-year-old Argentine has breathed new life into the Elephants but Pahang failed to capitalize on the early lead.
Melaka, however, broke the hearts of Sri Pahang when 30-year-old Wan Zaharulnizam netted deep into seven minutes of added time.
With the stalemate Pahang remained in ninth place and Melaka United a rung below on 13 and 12 points respectively.
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