Malaysia Cup: Strong start for Pahang

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 — Defending champions Pahang edged Police  4-3 in their opening match in Group D in the Malaysia Cup tournament at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan last night.

Mohammad Azamuddin Mohammad Akil opened scoring for The Elephants as early as the 2^nd minute before rounding off a hattrick with his other goals coming in the 34^th and 64^th minutes.

‘The Cops’ were not ones to throw in the towel easily and neutralised Pahang’s advantage through Malian import, Dramane Traore in the 12^th minute, Ashfaq Ali (71^st) and Jaime Celestino Dias Braganca (74^th) but it all came to naught when Pahang’s Nigerian import Dickson Nwakaeme clinched the winning goal in the 79^th minute for the hosts to collect three full points.

In another Group D action, PKNS FC romped home to a 3-0 victory against Penang at the City Stadium in George Town.

The hosts had the misfortune of playing with 10 men from the 21^st minute after referee Ku Alauddin Ku Muhammad gave Hilton Mauro Moreira the marching orders for a terrible tackle on PKNS FC striker P. Gunalan.

PKNS FC’s goals were netted by Mohd Nazrin Syamsulbahri (17^th), Gabriel Miguel Guerra (18^th) and Mohd Nizam Abu Bakar (54^th).

In group C action, Kelantan thrashed Selangor 3-0 at the Shah Alam Stadium.

The Red Warriors’ goals were scored by Brazillian import Gilmar Da Silva in the 26^th and 53^rd minutes while Nigerian import, Austin Amutu found the net in the 49^th minute.

Super League representatives Felda United FC (FUFC) also blasted T-Team in a similar scoreline at the Selayang Stadium in another Group C match.

Australian import player, Ndumba Makeche opened scoring for the hosts in the 35^th minute before Indra Putra Mahayuddin added another goal from a penalty three minutes later.

In the 70^th minute, Makeche scored his second goal to give The Settlers a 3-0 victory.

In Group A, four teams shared a point each when both matches ended in draws.

Current FA Cup champions, Lions XII failed to capitalise on their homeground advantage when they were tied 1-1 with Kedah, the 2015 Premier League champions, at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

Kedah went ahead in the 16^th minute via Brazillian Sandro da Silva Mendonca before the hosts equalised through Shahdan Sulaiman two minutes later.

At the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, Terengganu playing without their two top import strikers, Paulo Rangel and Issey Farran Nakajima after being suspended by FAM, were held to a goalless draw by Johor Darul Ta’zim II (JDT II).

In Group B, Sarawak edged Armed Forces 1-0 at the Sarawak Stadium in Kuching with Joseph Kalang Tie scoring the solitary goal in the 90^th minute.

In another Group B match, last year’s runners-up Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) beat Perak 2-0 at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin from goals netted by Mohd Safee Sali in the 17^th minute and S.Chanturu in the 21^st minute. — Bernama