Kedah FA survived a stern test away in Jengka as they came from behind to beat hosts FELDA United 2-1 at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium on Saturday night. Despite going down first on the stroke of half-time, two second half goals sent Aidil Shahrin Sahak’s men to victory, with the three points sending the Red Eagles to 2nd in the Liga Super Malaysia table.
Saturday’s Matchweek 7 encounter proved to be an emotional match for Kedah’s Hadin Azman, who returned to the club that molded him into the player that he is today. Azman was known as FELDA’s talismanic figure in recent years prior to his departure to Kedah in the 2020 preseason and he marked his return to Jengka with the winning goal that left FELDA stranded in 9th place.
A cagey first half sees Kedah trying their best to break into the FELDA defense, with the hosts content in hitting the Red Eagles on the counter. However, neither team could find the breakthrough until the very end of the first half, when FELDA’s Danial Amier crossed the ball into a crowded Kedah penalty box. Syahmi Zamri managed to out-jump the Kedah defenders and slammed in the opening goal of the match with a powerful header – the 20-year old’s first goal of his career. 1-0 FELDA and the Fighters managed to retain their advantage going into the break.
Aidil’s Kedah came out of the dressing room a completely different beast and in the 48th minute the Red Eagles drew level. Kedah’s Singaporean defender Shakir Hamzah sends a long ball towards Kipre Tchetche, and the Ivorian made no mistakes as he fired home the equalizer that went into the near post. Sparked on by that equalizer, Kedah pushed forward for a winner and they got just that in the 66th minute – substitute Azamuddin Akil sent a brilliant pass towards Azman, who slotted in a fortunate shot that went through the legs of FELDA goalkeeper Muhaimin Mohamad and across the goal line. 2-1 Kedah and despite FELDA’s best attempts in chasing the game, the scoreline stayed that way until the end of the match.
Elsewhere in the state of Pahang, we turned our attention to the state’s capital of Kuantan where goals from former Persela Lamongan and Persija Jakarta man Ivan Carlos and Faisal Halim ensured a 2-1 victory for Pahang FA over basement dwellers PDRM FA, who could only muster a late goal from Amir Saiful Badeli for their efforts. And last but not least, an 87th minute goal from Rodoljub Paunovic managed to rescue a point for Sabah FA as they played out a 1-1 draw with hosts Petaling Jaya City at the Petaling Jaya Stadium.