Kelantan fail in bid to claim M-League lead
Reigning Malaysia Super League champions Kelantan are now just two points behind leaders LIONSXII after a 2-2 draw with Terengganu on Tuesday evening.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
However, it could have been so different had Bojan Hodak's men been able to hold on to a winning position at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium, especially considering they raced to a two-goal lead inside 21 minutes.
Norfarhan Muhammad put Kelantan ahead after just five minutes when he put the finishing touches to a terrific passing move with a left-footed drive that Sharmiza Yusof, playing in place of regular goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee Ramli, should have done better to keep out at his near post.
16 minutes later, there appeared to be no real danger when the Red Warriors were awarded a freekick on the left wing, yet their lead was doubled as inspirational captain Badri Radzi curled home a sumptuous freekick that dipped just under the crossbar.
However, Terengganu hit back four minutes before the break when Abdul Hadi Yahya lashed home a vicious effort from the edge of the box, before Muslim Ahmad grabbed a share of the spoils for the hosts when flicked home a header, despite the best efforts of Khairul Fahmi Che Mat to keep it out.
Despite the missed opportunity, Kelatan remain favourites to win the title as they are only two points behind the LIONSXII with three games in hand, although they face another tough test on Friday when they entertain Selangor.
Selangor themselves picked up three points on Tuesday as they beat PKNS FC 1-0 courtesy of Bosko Balaban's winner just before the berak to keep up their chase of third-placed Perak, who edged T-Team 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.
Joel Epalle scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute to hand Sarawak a 1-0 away win over Felda United, while Sabah got a much-need victory after some awful results with a 1-0 triumph over Kedah.
Finally, Kuala Lumpur were relegated to the Premier League after failing to register their first win of the campaign thanks to a 1-0 defeat to Johor FC, who themselves moved out of the relegation zone.
Kuala Lumpur had spent three years in Malaysia's top-flight.
Tuesday's Malaysia Super League Results
Terengganu 2-2 Kelantan
Sabah 1-0 Kedah
Felda United 0-1 Sarawak
Selangor 1-0 PKNS FC
Perak 3-2 T Team
Johor FC 1-0 Kuala Lumpur