New Sabah Times
By FRANCIS XAVIER
KOTA KINABALU: Johor Darul Ta’zim III ended Tambadau Junior’s four-match unbeaten run in a six-goal thriller at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council Stadium yesterday.
The President’s Cup Group A tie saw the Justin Ganai-coached side trailing 2-1 at half time before eventually conceding a 4-2 defeat to their southern state team.
JDT III were leading 2-0 a courtesy of goals from Muhammad Feroz Baharudin in the 18th minute and Muhammad Najmuddin Samat in the 31st minute.
Tambadau Junior captain Mohd Aidil Safee put his side back in the game when he struck their first at the 40th minute mark as the opening half ended 2-1.
When the second half resumed, JDT III upped their tempo and managed to extend their lead through striker Muhammad Amirul Husaini Zamri 63 minute effort.
Captain Muhammad Izzafiq Ruzi then added a fourth in the 85th minute to make the points safe for JDT III.
Tambadau Junior added their second through flanker Zulkifly Harun, who scored in injury time.
Sabah remained on eight points after completing seven matches in Group A, where they registered two wins, two draws and three losses.
However, the defeat coupled with Penang winning 1-0 against Selangor United saw Sabah dropped one rung to eighth in the 10-team table.
JDT III, on the other hand, moved to third on 13 points replacing UiTM FC who lost 1-4 to Pahang.
Selangor, who were held to a scoreless draw by Kedah, remained top of the table while PJ City FC retained second placing after a 3-0 win over basement side Armed Forces FC.
The state juniors under head coach Justin Ganai will next face PJ City FC at the Likas Stadium on April 22.
