Southern Tigers Continue Winning Run As Penang Clinch First Win Of Season

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- Romel Morales scored a brace to inspire Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) to a 3-1 Super League win over Sabah FC at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu tonight.

Morales put the Southern Tigers 1-0 up when he headed home a corner taken by Arif Aiman Hanapi in the 21st minute before doubling their lead when he slotted home a long ball from Francisco Geraldes in injury time in the first half.

Sabah were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute after referee Razlan Joffri Ali pointed to the spot when Matthew Davies fouled Park Taesu in the box. Gabriel Peres cooly slotted home from the spot to reduce the deficit.

Then, in the dying minutes of the game, it was the Southern Tigers’ turn to get a penalty, with a little help from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which ruled that Rawilson Batuli had fouled Arif Aiman. Bergson da Silva stepped up to make it 3-1 for JDT.

The win sees JDT remain atop the 13-team Super League standings with 15 points from five matches while Sabah are fourth with seven points.

Meanwhile, Penang FC notched their first win of the season when they defeated Perak FC 2-0 at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh.

The visitors went ahead in the 45th minute when Joao Ferreira De Olivera scored from a free kick before substitute Muhammad Alif Ikmalrizal Anuar netted the second in the final minutes of the game.

Earlier today, home team Sri Pahang FC lost 2-0 to Negeri Sembilan FC (NSFC) at the Temerloh Municipal Council Stadium, with Takumi Sasaki playing a pivotal role for the visitors with a goal and an assist.

NSFC went ahead in the 24th minute when Barathkumar Ramaloo headed home a free kick taken by Takumi, who then went on to score the second goal in the second minute of injury time.

-- BERNAMA