Forkey Doe-inspired Selangor denied by late Pahang equaliser

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:45 am

Pahang conjured up late equaliser through Faisal Rosli to come from behind to earn a deserved 2-2 draw against Selangor in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) on Saturday.

Selangor came into the match in Kuantan as slight underdogs against the home side, but the visitors shocked the Darul Makmur Stadium by taking a sixth-minute lead.

The Red Giants opener came through their trio of imports. Victor Astafei's low cross was intentionally left by Francis Forkey Doe, allowing Juliano Mineiro to arrive on cue to guide home his fifth league goal of the season.

But Pahang were level just five minutes later through their captain Matthew Davies.

Ahmad Syamin Yahya floated in a corner from the left which was helped on by Muslim Ahmad. His flicked-on header left Davies with the simplest task of steering home from close range to make it 1-1.

The Australian-born defender's third goal in his 70th appearance for the Elephants paved the way for the hosts to dominate proceedings.

But it was Selangor who almost shocked them again after some slack Pahang defending.

Muslim misjudged a long ball in midfield, and his mistake allowed Doe through in on goal. The Liberian hit man, however, couldn't capitalise after a surging run, and saw his effort bounce off the post on its way out.

1-1 was a fair reflection of the first 45 minutes, but the game was begging for a momentum changer.

Joseph Kallang Tie had two chances to provide just that, but failed to take advantage of two deliveries that came his way near the hour mark.

Instead, it was Doe who stepped up, converting a 65th minute penalty after Faisal Rosli hacked down Astafei following a blistering Selangor counter attack.

But Faisal would emerge Pahang's saviour two minutes from the end. He acrobatically converted another Davies cross from the right which caught out Khairul Azhan as the sides settled for a point.

Other results saw Mohammad Ghaddar continued to star for Kelantan, as he destroyed Penang with four goals, condemning the Panthers to a 5-1 home defeat at Batu Kawan Stadium.

There were goals galore in Kuching as well, as Sarawak were held to a 3-3 draw by Perak.

Early-season pacesetters Kedah saw defender Rizal Ghazali receive a first-half red card before losing 5-0 away to T-Team, with Mohd Norhakim scoring a hat trick for the home side.

Elsewhere, Johor Darul Ta'zim stayed top with a 2-1 victory over PKNS, with Safiq Rahim grabbing a 55th-minute winner from the penalty spot, while Malacca United and Felda United drew 1-1.