KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC’s hopes of carving a third consecutive win to end their 2023 Super League season in style were dashed as they were held to a goalless draw by Sri Pahang FC at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras here tonight.
Both teams were equally disappointing throughout the first half of the match, not being able to mount any meaningful challenge against their opponents. Things heated up a little in the second half when KL FC had two shots at goal, but squandered both chances to allow Sri Pahang to end the season fifth with 45 points, ahead of the home team, which finished sixth with 38 points.
Even worse, KL FC might drop a rung lower and be overtaken should seventh-place Terengganu FC, currently with 37 points and a better goal advantage, win tomorrow at home against Perak.
Meanwhile, season champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), who are still in the midst of celebrating their 10th consecutive league title, created history by becoming the first club to score 100 goals in a single Super League season after trashing Penang FC 8-0 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri tonight.
Winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi stole the limelight by scoring four goals, including a penalty at the end of the match – the 100th goal of the season, surpassing their previous high of 61 goals set last season.
Prolific Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva also put on a show by scoring a brace, while Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid and Heberty Fernandes managed one apiece.
JDT, who recorded a double treble after their recent Malaysia Cup win, ended this season with a total of 76 points, with 25 wins and a single draw against Kedah Darul Aman (KDA) FC in Alor Setar, last August.
Penang meanwhile improved to 10th this season from 12th in the previous season, securing 24 points, but Perak, may still leapfrog over them should they beat Terengganu tomorrow, as they have 22 points.
Also, Kelantan United FC ended their three-loss streak by raking up their fourth win of the season by beating last-placed Kelantan FC 6-2 at Sultan Muhammad ke-IV Stadium in Kota Bharu.
The Red Warriors has the ignobility of being the team with the most goals scored against, letting in 121 goals this season.–Bernama
