KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 — Petaling Jaya (PJ) FC opened their 2022 Super League season in style with a 1-0 victory over Melaka United at Petaling Jaya City Stadium tonight, even though they fielded an all-local team.
Striker S. Kumaahran turned team hero when he scored the solitary goal of the match with a beautiful volley from outside the penalty box straight into the goalmouth, beating Melaka United goalkeeper Norazlan Razali in the 42nd minute.
In the second half, The Phoenix continued mounting their attacks but were not capable of increasing their lead as the national coaching line up, led by new Harimau Malaya headcoach Kim Pan Gon, watched them in action from the stands.
Melaka United fielded five import players, Filipino Mikel Justin Cagurangan Baas in defence, midfielders Sony Norde (Haiti), Emmanuel Oti Essigba (Ghana) and strikers Ifedayo Olusegun (Nigeria) and Adriano Narcizo (Brazil) in their starting eleven of the match.
Meanwhile, the sole Premier League match tonight was won by visitors Kelantan FC who beat hosts Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) II 2-1 at Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin.
The Red Warriors opened accounts through Indonesian Under-23 player Natanael Siringo Ringo in the seventh minute after one-on-one showdown with the rival team’s goalkeeper at the end of a swift counterattack.
The hosts managed to equalise in a counterattack in the 75th minute through Daryl Sham, who received a pass from Garbiel Nistelrooy Tamin, but Rezal Zambery Yahya’s charges soldiered on and took all three points when Jasmir Mehat was on target from close range in the 89th minute.
Three other matches scheduled tonight – Sri Pahang FC against Terengganu FC in the Super League, Perak FC versus Kelantan United FC and Selangor 2 versus FAM-NSC Project Squad in the Premier League – have been postponed due to COVID-19 infections among team players and officials.
— BERNAMA
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