Safee Sali broke Penang hearts on Friday evening to give Johor Darul Ta'zim a 1-0 home win with a 94th minute strike in the Malaysia Super League on Friday night.

The Larkin Stadium had resigned itself to a goalless draw after a frustrating evening against the relegation strugglers until Safee came off the bench to keep JDT on track in their title defence.

It was a fighting performance from the visitors who are now without a win in eight games in the league and are above bottom club Sarawak only on goal difference.

JDT were not their usual fluid selves with Argentine strike pairing Jorge Pererya Diaz and Juan Martin Lucero unable to get in the game and well-policed by the Penang defence.

There was little goal action on either side until the intervention of Safee from the bench to score what could be a vital goal for teams at both ends of the table.

Their seventh win in 10 games takes JDT equal top of the MSL table on 24 points, behind Felda on goal difference.

The reigning champions will now prepare for Wednesday's home game in the AFC Cup against India's Bengaluru FC.

Coach Mario Gomez will be able to rotate his squad with the holders already through to the Round of 16.

Their next game in the league is at home to Pahang on May 18.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN staff

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