match report - USM 2-5 Johor darul ta'zim
Back to back wins across the circuit for JDT, but a spirited USM made life difficult for the two-time defending champions.
Fresh of a 17-0 win over Wipers on Matchday 1, JDT returned to the court against a USM side who’d won their last two including a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over PFA Odin 24 hours earlier.
Johor welcomed back Andresito who sat out the Wipers match and new signing Muhammad Bukhari made his debut after switching from ATM, but the two-time defending champions made a slow start and in fact fell behind in the 11th minute as Danial Zhafirul ran from the halfway line to slip the ball past keeper Zainulzahin.
The lead didn’t last long as JDT finally found a way through, Awalludin’s shot was going in but Norakmal Norizal made sure on the line to level things up.
JDT added two more in quick succession, Mahadir Harahap with a close range shot that should have been saved, then with three minutes to go to the break Ekmal Shahrin made it 3-1.
USM were showing more resilience than in the early season matches and pulled a goal back to go in just one behind at the break, Danial Zhafirul with his second of the match.
The second half followed a similar pattern, it took JDT until the 11th minute to extend their lead, Ridzwan Bakri made it 4-2 and with four minutes left Mahadir Harahap gave JDT a three goal cushion.
JDT had beaten USM 9-1 on the season’s opening day, but with two wins in a row coming into this USM are improving as the season goes on, and this wasn’t plain sailing for the two time defending champions.
Joao Almeida’s team did achieve his objective of two wins and they go into Circuit 6 next week in second place in the table, ahead of Pahang Rangers on goal difference.
Man of the Match - Mahadir Harahap (JDT)
