KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) continued their dominance in the Super League this season by maintaining their unbeaten run after edging Negeri Sembilan FC (NSFC) 1-0 at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Paroi, last night.
JDT’s solitary goal was scored by Manuel Hidalgo, who headed home an Oscar Arribas cross in stoppage time at the end of the second half, ensuring the Southern Tigers collected full points to further strengthen their position at the top of the league this season.
The first half saw both teams playing with high intensity and aggression, resulting in several players from both sides being shown yellow cards by the referee.
The match heated up early when NSFC were awarded a free kick in the seventh minute after JDT’s Muhammad Syahmi Safari fouled Jovan Motika, but the golden opportunity went begging.
JDT nearly broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through a powerful strike by Oscar Arribas Pasero, but NSFC goalkeeper Muhammad Azri Abdul Ghani produced a fine save to deny the effort.
Minutes later, JDT again threatened the hosts’ goal through a long-range attempt by Ager Aketxe Barrutia, but the shot was once more kept out by Muhammad Azri.
After the interval, JDT came out stronger, with Antonio Cristian Garcia Glauder testing the goalkeeper in the 48th minute, but his effort was parried away.
JDT then thought they had taken the lead in the 52nd minute through Bergson Gustavo Silveira Da Silva, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure with an attempt by Alberto Diaz Martin in the 86th minute, followed by a header from Ignacio Mendez Navia Fernandes that sailed over the bar a minute later, before Hidalgo finally struck the winner in injury time.
Meanwhile, at Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC in another Super League fixture played yesterday.
The first half of the match saw both sides exchanging attacks, but neither managed to find the breakthrough.
In the second half, Sabah FC were stunned when KL City broke the deadlock in the 50th minute after a powerful strike by Safawi Rasid from inside the penalty area put the visitors ahead 1-0.
However, Sabah responded well and drew level in the 67th minute through import striker Ajdin Mujagic to see both teams share the spoils. – BERNAMA
