Felda United go top of MSL after slaying Terengganu in second half

Zaini Ahmat / www.asiana.my

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Felda United temporarily leapfrogged Johor Darul Ta'zim into top spot of the Malaysia Super League (MSL) after a 4-1 annihilation of Terengganu, courtesy of three quick-fire strikes in the second half at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium on Tuesday night.

The top four clash took got off at a blistering pace as Terengganu almost went ahead as early as the fifth minute after Felda custodian Farizal Harun miskicked his clearance, but it was saved by some last ditch defending.

It was Felda's turn to threaten next as Francis Forkey Doe was thwarted by the onrushing Sharbinee Allawee just as the Liberian looked to pull the trigger.

The Turtles then went ahead midway through the first half courtesy of in-form playmaker Joseph Kallang Tie. His volley took a slight deflection on its way in after great work from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha on the left wing.

But Terengganu's lead lasted barely three minutes as Felda immediately launched an attack after the kickoff.

Forkey Doe's dinked cross was met purposefully by Christie Jayaseelan, who crashed into Sharbinee after heading home. The clash resulted in the Terengganu custodian being out cold for several minutes before he was declared fit to play on.

Terengganu capitulated midway through the second half, beginning in the 66th minute after Yong Kuong Yong headed into his own goal before Zah Rahan Krangar held off three players to prod past Sharbinee four minutes later.

Doe added the icing on the cake in the 77th minute with a sublime chip into the far corner as Terengganu slumped to their third loss of the season.

For the Settlers, it was another resurgent perfomance which sees them win five of their six games, going top of the table ahead of JDT's match with Perak on Tuesday night.

Felda also having the distinction as the team to have scored the most goals in the MSL so far with 13 strikes.