Harimau bite back

SHAH ALAM: Supersub Izzaq Fariz Ramlan scored a brace in Harimau Muda ‘A’s come-from-behind 3-1 win over Pahang in a Super League match at the Shah Alam Stadium last night.

The national Under-21 boys turned on the heat after the breather and the lanky Izzaq hit the target in the 51st and 62nd minutes.

Izzaq also had a hand in the third goal when he won the penalty which Mohd Fandi Othman cooly slotted home from the spot in the 87th minute.

Pahang had taken a shock third-minute lead through Famirul Asraf Sayuti.

Meanwhile, defending champions Selangor got back on track after defeating Perlis 2-0 at Stadium Utama in Kangar. Mohd Safee Sali and Mohd Fitri Shazwan were on target for the Red Giants in the 63rd and 76th minutes respectively.

In the east coast derby, Kelantan and Terengganu played out a 1-1 draw at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru. Skipper Mohd Badhri Radzi put the Red Warriors ahead in the 34th minute before Marzuki Yusoff equalised for the Turtles in the 68th minute.

In Shah Alam, Harimau Muda started with three regulars – centre-back Mohd Muslim Ahmad, midfielder K. Gurusamy and striker Izzaq – on the bench.

Pahang, riding high after their success over Perlis (3-1) on Saturday, got off to an aggressive and lightning quick start to put the national Under-21 boys under pressure.

Their positive approach was rewarded when Mohd Alafi Mahmud created the opening for Famirul to score from close range.

That goal roused the Harimau Muda from their slumber and they hit back immediately, launching a quick counter attack in the next minute.

But midfielder Gary Steven squandered a sitter in front of goal, shooting straight at Pahang custodian Mohd Suffian Abdul Rahman in a one-on-one.

Harimau Muda coach Ong Kim Swee made two tactical changes for the second half, bringing on lanky striker Izzaq for Wan Zack Haikal and Wan Zaharul Nizam Wan Zakaria for Steven.

The substitution paid off when Izzaq scored the equaliser six minutes into the second half, heading in Mohd Fandi Othman’s cross into goal.

Pahang lived dangerously and defended in numbers as Harimau Muda continued to pile on the pressure.

Then, in the 62nd minute Izzaq was presented with an open chance after being put through by Syahrul Izwari for the second goal.

Izzaq continued to trouble the Pahang defence and it was no surprise when he was fouled by Mohd Saiful Nizam in the 87th minute.

Saiful was sent off for the foul and Fandi made no mistake from the penalty spot.