Goals galore as Pahang beat Kelantan in a thrilling encounter

the-afc.com

East Coast derby lived up to expectations as Pahang beat Kelantan 5-3 in a thrilling encounter at Darul Makmur Stadium. It was an important win for The Elephant Army as they bounced back from a rare defeat against LionsXII previously that resulted a slip up to the second placed in the table. Strong performance proved how they have yet to give up in the race to win the Super League title with only three games remaining.

Pahang were without Azidan Sarudin and Azam Azih while Kelantan travelling without Gilmar, Nik Shahrul Azim, Fakri, Zairul Fitree due to injury and Amiridzwan Taj who is suspended.

With not much focused on the defence, Pahang managed to score with five different goalscorer while Norfarhan Mohamad scored a hattrick for Kelantan but unable to prevent his side from the defeat.

Pahang took an early lead in the 7th minute when R. Gopinathan crossed the ball from the left-hand side of midfield towards Matias Conti who only hit the right woodwork before R. Surendran pounced on the rebound to make it 1-0. 

Pahang doubled the lead in less than a minute after a cross from R. Surendran from the right midfield met the unmarked Dickson Nwakaeme who headed the ball easily past Khairul Fahmi.

Kelantan narrow down the gap to one when Razman Roslan who robbed the ball from Austin Amutu but failed to clear it properly punished by the marauding winger Farhan Mohamad who hit the ball off Razman's leg and it lobbed past Khairul Azhan.

It all looked like Kelantan have a chance for equaliser until Gopinathan whipped a corner which met Matias Conti who scored with an accurate header just before the half time to make it 3-1.

As the second half resumed, Kelantan nightmare continues as Zesh Rehman added another goal for the home side with a flying header, assisted by R. Surendran in the 55th minute.

Kelantan clawed back in the game in the 70th minute through Norfarhan Mohamad who added his second goal of the game through a cross from outside of the box and headed the ball past Khairul Azhan who misjudged the ball to make it 4-2.

To make matter more difficult for Kelantan, Khairul Izuan was sent off just few minutes later for a deliberate tackle towards the opponent.

The comeback were almost on the card for Kelantan when Azamuddin Akil tackled Austin Amutu inside the penalty box. Norfarhan completed a hat-trick after he converted the spot-kick with ease to make it three for his side.

With so little time remaining, Dickson found himself dribbling the ball towards Kelantan defence and crossed it to the centre which met the unmarked Azamuddin who scored the fifth goal for Pahang, burying all the hopes that Kelantan have for an equaliser. 

Pahang currently with 42 points, just one point behind JDT. Kelantan remain in ninth placed, with 22 points.

Next game on Aug 15th, 2015: Perak v Pahang, Kelantan v JDT

Highlights:

Super-sub Khyril Muhymeen's header sealed Malaysia win over Yemen

Khyril celebrates winning goal against Yemen

Malaysia bounced back after going behind through an early strike from Yemeni striker Ayman Al-Hagri, but a goal from Pahang wizard Azamuddin Akil and a point blank header from Kedah maestro Khyril Muhymeen completed Malaysia first ever win in Asian Cup 2015 Qualifier

Pahang Malaysia Super League Watch

Can Pahang save themselves from relegated once again?

Key Player: Azamuddin Akil, Jalaluddin Jaafar, Amirul Hadi Zainal, R. Surendran, Azidan Sarudin, Razman Roslan, Nasril Nourdin, Zaiza Zainal Abidin

Young Talented Player: R. Gopinathan

2012 season: Finished 2nd in Malaysia Premier League (Promoted to Malaysia Super League via Play-off winner)

Team Status Chances: Relegation candidate

Malaysia secured 2-0 win over Indonesia

Photo Courtesy from www.bumiyang.blogspot.com

It was all drizzling and drenched at Bukit Jalil National Stadium today as it contested one of the biggest match in the country, certainly with the fierce rival, Indonesia, having already met in the previous AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 edition, with Malaysia triumph all the way to clinch the title. Indonesia in the pole position to qualify for the next round, having already pick up four points from two matches, after 2-2 draw with Laos and narrow 1-0 victory over Singapore. In the final match of Group B, Indonesia only need to draw against Malaysia to qualify through to semi-final but have to wary of Malaysia's revival. After losing a heavy 3-0 defeat to rival Singapore in the first match, Malaysia hopes to defend the title came back alive with a convincing 4-1 win over Laos to level point with Singapore in the Group B. Now Malaysia have no other option but to beat Indonesia in order to qualify comfortably in the tournament. It was a much-needed win for the Malayan Tiger to boost their chances for the semi-final of AFF Suzuki Cup 2012.

As soon as the match started, Indonesia begin to attack and dominate in the early minute of the match, with chances created were almost converted to goals by Irfan Bachdim and Oktovianus Maniani. Malaysia trying to break the opposition attack, coupled with few chances but only some woeful passes and finishing. Yet, when Indonesia attacking severely, it was Malaysia who managed to get an early lead through crossing from Mahalli Jasuli which almost met Safee Sali's head but instead finding Azamuddin Akil with a powerful strike in the 26th minute, in which the ball past through Indonesian goalkeeper Wahyu Tri Nugroho straight to the bottom right corner of the net. Malaysia did not have to wait longer for the second goal, after dazzling run from a young winger Wan Zack Haikal that resulted a delightful pass to put full-back Mahalli Jasuli through on goal, to which he strikes to the top left corner of the net in the 29th minute to give Malaysia a comfortable lead. It was the goal that rounded off the whole match, after such a hot-heated match that produced more than five yellow cards and a poor showing in the second half from both side, from a series of needless foul and wasting time to poor finishing and understanding when launching an attack. It was a good match nonetheless, albeit from a low quality when it comes to passes and finishing.

A deserved 2-0 win over Indonesia meaning that Malaysia finished Group B as a runner-up and qualify through to the semi-final where they will meet against Group A winner Thailand, the only team in the tournament to qualify to the semi-final without losing a single match. It is said that Malaysia will meet a tougher opposition than ever before, and somewhat need miracles to defeat the side that have previously beat Malaysia 2-0 in a friendly match weeks before the tournament started. But Malaysia will do all they can to keep their hopes of defending the title and gaining the victory in the process.

Man of the Match: Wan Zack Haikal