The JDT players celebrate retaining the Super League crown with Tengku Mahkota Johor (centre) - M. AZHAR ARIF/ The STAR
PETALING JAYA: The Super League trophy will stay in Johor.
The Southern Tigers retained the title despite going down to Felda United 2-1 in the final match of the season at the Selayang Stadium on Saturday night.
Second-placed Pahang could have snatched the title away from their arch-rivals but they fell to a shock 3-1 defeat to neighbours Terengganu at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak.
JDT, who started the match with a two-point lead over the Elephants, almost lost it all as they conceded two goals in the space of seven minutes to unfancied Felda.
The Fighters raced ahead with defender Shahrul Saad’s header in the fourth minute for a surprise lead. Three minutes later, striker Indra Putra Mahayuddin coolly slotted in a penalty to double their lead.
The spotkick was given after defender Junior Eldstal was sent off for bringing down Felda’s Ndumba Makeche.
The Southern Tigers clawed back into the game after Felda’s Christie Jayaseelan handled the ball in the box and Argentine striker Luciano Figueroa easily converted in the 32nd minute.
JDT tried hard to get back into the game but they could not overcome Felda’s numerical advantage.
In Gong Badak, listless Pahang endured a disastrous outing as they were run ragged by Terengganu.
The Turtles went ahead with goals from striker Issey Nakajima-Farran striker (15th) and winger Ashaari Shamsuddin (33rd) for a comfortable lead in the first half.
Pahang managed to reduce the deficit through defender Damion Stewart after the re-start but midfielder Nasril Izzat Jalil settled matters in the 70th minute to foil Pahang’s hopes of winning the league
