Super League: Johor Darul Takzim crash to second straight defeat

ATM’s Venice Elphi (left) competes with
Johor Darul Takzim’s Jazirin Jamaluddin.

ALEX MARLON JAMES sent Johor Darul Takzim crashing to their second successive away defeat with a brace as Armed Forces walked away with a 2-0 win at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi last night.

The defeat came in the wake of their 3-0 hammering at the hands of Perak in at the TLDM Stadium in Lumut last week, which seriously put a big dent in their Super League title hopes.

To round up a miserable night for the Southern Tigers, Argentine striker Leonel Nunez saw his spot kick saved by Armed Forces goalkeeper Farizal Harun after the soldiers had gone 2-0 up by the 63rd minute.

James scored his first in the 55th minute with a free header off a pin point cross from Bruno Martelotto which started off a throw in. The Johor Darul Takzim backline failed to react and James had the simple task to head the ball beyond the reach of custodian Muhd Al-Hafizh Hamzah.

Johor Darul Takzim’s sloppy defending once again stood out like a sore thumb when centrebacks Muslim Ahmad and skipper Kamarul Afiq, lacking understanding, allowed Armed Forces get their second in the 63rd minute.

And again it was the lanky James who made it count with a delightful left footer into the roof of the net with Al-Hafizh caught flat footed – and the soldiers gained confidence on the wet and slippery pitch as the match progressed.

With the brace, James took his personal tally to 16 goals to put himself in line for the Golden Boot award but that is not on his mind just yet.

In the 65th minute Johor Darul Takzim’s Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was brought down inside the box but Nunez failed with his spot kick which Farizal read well and dived to his left to save the shot.

“Armed Forces deserve credit for their win. They have a striker in Alex (Marlon James) who can win matches and who is an asset to the team. Our defence once again let us down,” lamented Johor Darul Takzim manager-coach Fandi Ahmad.

Armed Forces supremo B. Satianathan had nothing praise for his bunch of committed and dedicated fighters who kept pace with leaders Lions XII who beat Terengganu 2-1 in Kuala Terengganu in an afternoon match to keep their place at the top with 31 points after 15 matches.

Armed Forces are close second with 30 points but have played 16 matches.

Sports247.my