match report:Pahang Rangers 6-4 KL City

Pahang Rangers moved level on points with second place JDT after edging out a resilient KL City 6-4 in an entertaining, end-to-end affair at the Tertutup SUKPA in Kuantan, inspired by a four-goal haul from Felipe De Almeida Souza, who was duly named Player of the Match.

The hosts, who have lost just twice all season, made light work of a fast start from KL City. Dodie Al Fareq had the visitors ahead inside three minutes, only for Felipe De Souza to reply immediately and set the tone for a first-half rout. The Brazilian struck twice more before the quarter-hour, either side of a Sirhan Aiman goal, to put Pahang firmly in control. An own goal from Adam Rayyan on the stroke of half time gave KL City a route back into it, but Pahang went in 4-2 ahead at the break.

KL City rallied after the restart, with Dodie Al Fareq grabbing his second of the night in the 22nd minute, matched immediately by a fourth Felipe De Souza goal to keep Pahang two clear. The sides traded further blows late on, as Akmarulnizam and Dinesh Kumar both found the net in the 40th minute, but there was no way back for the visitors as Pahang held on for a 6-4 win.

For KL City, currently fourth in the table, it was a spirited effort that ultimately fell short against one of the division's in-form sides, leaving them still searching for the consistency to close the gap on the top three.

De Souza’s four goal haul took him onto 24 back to within two of the MPFL’s top scorer Marlon.

Both both sides are in action on matchday 2, KL City take on Wipers while Pahang take on JDT in the stand-out fixture of the day.

Man of the Match – Felipe De Souza (Pahang Rangers)