LIONSXII, Kelantan get wins on the board

By ESPNSTAR.com staff

Having been held to a 0-0 draw by Johor FC in their opening Group A game on Wednesday, it looked as though it was going to be another forgettable night for V. Sundramoorthy's charges after they fell behind in the seventh minute when Fazli Baharudin latched onto a through-ball by Fauzan Dzulkifli and slotted past Hyrulnizam Juma'at.

However, parity was restored just five minutes later when Khairul Amri, who has endured a wretched run with injuries in recent times, netted his first goal of the season after sidefooting a cross from Shahril Ishak.

LIONSXII then went ahead in the 18th minute when left-back Shaiful Esah scored with a spectacular 30-yard freekick and two minutes into the second half, the points were sewn up after captain Shahril slid in to convert a cut-back from Hariss Harun.

The result means the Singaporean outfit are currently top in the group on goal difference ahead Johor FC, who recorded a 2-1 triumph over local rivals Johor at the Tan Sri Dato Hj Hassan Yunos Stadium.

Reigning league champions Kelantan also picked up their first win of the campaign with a 2-1 win over recently-relegated Kedah in Group B, although it was Hijau-Kuning who took the lead in the sixth minute through Khyril Muhymeen Zambri.

Nonetheless, the Red Warriors hit back a minute before the half-hour mark through on-loan striker Afiq Azmi, who went on to grab the winner on the stroke of halftime.

ATM are currently top of the group after picking up their second straight victory by beating Terengganu 2-1 at the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang Stadium.

Highlights: Lions 3-1 Selangor PKNS... More Videos

The Armed Forces raced to a two-goal lead inside the opening half hour courtesy of a brace from veteran striker Marlon Alex James, although they had to endure a nervy end to the match after Joseph Kalang Tie pulled one back for the Turtles 14 minutes from time.

Negri Sembilan moved top of Group C after beating Sime Darby 4-0, courtesy of a Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona hat-trick and a strike from Khairul Izuan, while Perak fell to a shock 4-2 home defeat to Felda United.

Finally in Group D, Selangor's bid to win a 33rd title took another blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to newly-promoted Pahang.

Watch: Highlights: Selangor 2-2 Pahang... More Videos

The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute through Maycon Carvalho but Malaysia skipper Safiq Rahim equalised for the Red Giants two minutes later.

Fauzi Roslan then restored Tok Gajah's advantage eight minutes later, and it took a 64th-minute strike from ex-Croatia international Bosko Balaban to steal a share of the spoils for Irfan Bakti's charges.

The group's other game ended in a 0-0 draw between T-Team and Sarawak at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium.

Saturday's Malaysia Cup Results

Group A

LIONSXII 3-1 PKNS FC

Johor 1-2 Johor FC

Group B

ATM 2-1 Terengganu

Kelantan 2-1 Kedah

Group C

Negri Sembilan 4-0 Sime Darby

Perak 2-4 Felda United

Group D

T-Team 0-0 Sarawak

Selangor 2-2 Pahang