Two goals from Juan Martin Lucero helped defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) come back from a goal down to defeat Perak 2-1 at Larkin Stadium on Tuesday evening and return to the top of the Malaysia Super League.

After six games, the undefeated Southern Tigers are a point clear of Felda United who had snatched pole position 24 hours earlier with a 4-1 win against Terengganu.

Felda looked set to stay first until the weekend's fixtures when Elias, signed from South Korean side Busan I'Park in the close season, gave the Bos Gaurus the lead after 17 minutes.

It was looking good for the visitors at the break but within eight minutes of the restart, Lucero had scored twice.

The first came from the spot after 48 minutes and just five minutes later, JDT's new Argentinian signing added a second.

JDT have won five of their first six MSL games in 2016, with one draw and no defeats.

Selangor lost ground in the title race after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by Kedah.

It could have been worse. After just seven minutes, Syazwan Zainon put the visitors ahead.

On the half-hour R. Gopinathan equalised for Selangor and seconds later Patrick Wleh edged the home side into the lead.

Midway through the second half, however, Sandro equalised for Kedah with the team's second spot kick.

The goal means that while Selangor remain in third place, they are now five points behind JDT whom they faced off in February's Charity Shield, losing on penalties.

Kelantan missed a chance to go above Selangor as they lost 4-2 at T-Team.

The win, helped by a brace from Uzbekistan star Dilshod Sharofetdinov, means that the hosts pull clear of the relegation zone.

Sarawak were also struggling until their visit to Penang. A first half goal from Argentinian Matias Cordoba had the hosts looking good until ex-Kelantan striker Gilmar equalised just before the hour for the Crocs.

Soon after, Cordoba missed a penalty that would have sent Penang into the top half of the table. Penang were momentarily happy to see Gilmar hit the woodwork in the dying seconds but there was worse to come.

In the 97th minute Ndumba Makeche scored a vital goal for Sarawak to give them a 2-1 win.

Bottom club Pahang sank deeper into the mire after losing 2-0 at home to PDRM FA thanks to a first-half strike from Singapore star Safuwan Baharudin and a late goal from Ali Ashfaq.

The Elephants, who lost the bulk of their squad in the off season, have collected just one point from the opening six games.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by John Duerden

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