Kelantan crush league leaders JDT as the title race goes on

Farhan celebrates the third goal as Kelantan beat JDT 4-1 at Kota Bharu.- asiana.my

Kelantan put a huge dent in JDT's title bid as the league leaders suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to The Red Warriors at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV, Kota Bharu. A brace from Gilmar helped the home side to victory.

The Southern Tigers were expected to win and enjoy a large travelling crowd with 20 buses to Kota Bharu as they continue their charges towards the league title but that did not deter Kelantan from proving the league leaders wrong. After two defeats in a row against two East Coast side, they bounced back with a style.

Kelantan took only three minutes to lead the game after a low cross from Norfarhan met the hands of Farizal Marlias who fumbled the ball in front of Gilmar and easily slotted home to make it 1-0. 

The home side continue to press forward through NorFarhan, Gilmar, Amutu, Wan Zaharulnizam. They finally rewarded with another goal albeit in a controversial circumstances.

Gilmar put the ball through to Amutu who suddenly fell inside of the box and the referee ruled Amutu was fouled by Marcos Antonio and shown the spot kick.

Temper flares among the JDT players as well as their head coach Mario Gomez who was fuming with the referee's decision.

Piya keep it cool and scored the goal confidently past Farizal to make 2-0.
    
JDT have several chances to score as well only to let down by poor finishing and solid Kelantan defence at the back.

As the second half starts, JDT determined to get back into the game, and duly delivered when Mahalli Jasuli converted a corner through chaotic Kelantan defence, narrowing down the two-goal deficit to one. 

However, not even a minute after JDT scored, Kelantan quickly restored the two-goal lead when Norfarhan burst into JDT defence who unleashed the ball from outside of the box, scoring third goal of the game for the home side.

JDT desperately trying to score again despite poor in creating chances and finishing only to found themselves on the back foot as Kelantan once again in a delightful counter attack. 

Nor Farhan chipped the ball which found the unmarked Gilmar who scored with a stunning half-volley to the back of the net, putting the final nail in the coffin for JDT.

"I want to thanked to the fans for their support, I am especially delighted that we were able to win tonight," said Zahasmi Ismail.

"I hope we can continue to play this way for the next two games."

"The second goal was no penalty," said Mario Gomez, who suffered his first league defeat as JDT head coach.

"We must improve for the final two games."

While Pahang failed to capitalise the opportunities after only held 1-1 draw by Perak, sharing the league points and goal difference with their title rivals JDT , Pahang are back to the top of the league due to a massive difference in goal scored in the league.

Next game, JDT welcome Perak at Larkin while Pahang host Felda at Kuantan.

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:

Kelantan won the FA Cup 2013 title

Kelantan retain FA Cup title

A golden assist from Piya to find Nor Farhan Mohd who slotted the ball beautifully into the back of the net to make it 1-0 and it was enough for The Red Warriors to capture the FA Cup title for the second consecutive times after a long hard-fought battle against mega-rich side, Johor DT. 

Kelantan met two of their former players, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Nurul Azwan Roya who previously won the FA Cup title together last season.

But the one of the most talked about during the game was three quick changes from the Southern Tiger when the match were just inside 45 minutes.

Man of the Match: Piya

What's more, Johor DT striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who best known as Matyo, allegedly thrown his runner-up medal into the dustbin, locked himself in the dressing room and refused any interviews from the media. 

Johor DT players were promised earlier by Tengku Mahkota Johor before the FA Cup final clash that they will have Audi Q7 each if they win the cup both as bonus and motivation for the team. It results in failure though.

Kelantan held 2-2 by ten men Pahang

Kelantan failed to take their numerical advantage into goals as a penalty from extraordinary striker Fauzi Roslan saves Pahang from three straight defeats

The match were best known for the high intensity and tempo of the game in a breezy and slippery evening.

Kelantan have an early lead through Norfarhan Mohd as he seized an error from Pahang goalkeeper, Nasril Nourdin, who parried poorly a first-time shot from Kelantan captain Piya, in which the ball went straight to Farhan who was totally unmarked and struck a simple header from a close range in the eighth minute. 

Pahang went on to create a series of attacking threat to equalise, but often the chances went wasted. The home side equalised minutes before first half end, through a free-kick that met the head of Fauzi Roslan, which somehow went to the chest off Hafiz Kamal and the ball easily passed Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

Second half drew more attention, as in the 62nd minute, Pahang goalscorer Hafiz Kamal was sent off following an unsportsmanlike conduct towards Kelantan midfielder Zamri Ramli. The decision came after the replay shows that Hafiz Kamal deliberately stamped on the body of Zamri Ramli. Amazingly, Pahang continue to surge forward in search for the winner as they make it hard for the visitor to attack. 

A cross from Daudsu Jamaludin met the head of Kelantan striker Keita Mandjou to make the scoreline 2-1 almost killed the Pahang fans hope of taking anything out of this match. But an error from Kelantan defender Obinna Nwaneri who tackled Fauzi Roslan just inside the penalty box seconds away after their lead proved costly for his side. Fauzi Roslan keep it cool for his spot-kick as he struck straight towards Khairul Fahmi Che Mat who failed to keep the ball out of the net.

Both sides share the spoils means Pahang retained their fifth position while Kelantan moved up to seventh. Pahang will visit ATM at Paroi while Kelantan welcomed Perak at home in Kota Bharu on March 2nd.

Man of the Match: Fauzi Roslan

Malaysia Super League Team of the Week Match Day 3

MSL Team of the Week 3