MSL: LIONSXII go top; Darul Takzim edge thriller

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Saturday's Malaysia Super League Results
T-Team 1-3 Pahang
LIONSXII 1-0 Negri Sembilan
Darul Takzim 3-2 Terengganu
PKNS FC 0-1 Perak

The LionsXII climbed to the top of the Malaysian Super League table on Saturday night with a 1-0 victory over bottom side Negeri Sembilan, thanks to Shahril Ishak’s goal 11 minutes from time.

They had found it tough to break down their opponents’ resolute defence before that, which was well-marshalled by towering Cameroonian centreback William Modibo.

Negeri Sembilan seemed to be more interested in disrupting the LionsXII’s rhythm as the half wore on with niggling fouls, as well as time-wasting tactics from the likes of Emanuel De Porras and Fauzi Nan.

Referee Amirul Izwan, who had earned the ire of the home fans with some questionable calls, had also denied the LionsXII what looked like a clear penalty when Fazrul appeared to be tripped by Norismaidham in the 40th minute.

Darul Takzim are also on the rise and moved up to third after beating Terengganu 3-2 in a thriller at the Larkin Stadium.

It was the visitors who took the lead after ten minutes through Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona, but Dani Guiza equalised from the spot in the 37th minute, before firing Darul Takzim ahead right on halftime.

Harimau Selatan then edged further ahead four minutes into the second half through a Nurul Azwan Roya strike, but Effa Owona netted his second of the game six minutes later to make it 3-2.

The Turtles chances of rescuing a point then received a boost when their opponents were reduced to ten men in the 71st minute after Ahmad Tharmini was sent off, but Darul Takzim ultimately did enough to hold out for all three points.

Elsewhere, Rafiuddin Roddin's 76th-minute effort handed Perak a 1-0 win at PKNS FC, while T-Team fell to a 3-1 home loss to Pahang.

Despite taking the lead at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium through Muinuddin Mokhtar's 25th-minute opener, T-Team soon found themselves pegged back two minutes before the break when in-form Pahang striker Fauzi Roslan netted.

Tok Gajah then took the lead in the 83rd minute through Faizol Hussein, before R. Gopinathan wrapped things up with a third three minutes later.