Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) etched another record in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) after Amri Yahyah's 77th-minute strike helped them overcome Selangor 2-1, as they became the only side to go through an entire season unbeaten in the domestic league's history.
And there was also late drama at Sarawak Stadium, as Nur Shamie Iszuan Amin netted a late winner against PDRM FA to relegate the Cops to the Premier League, only a week after they appeared in the Malaysia Cup semifinals. Terengganu are the other team to go down to the second tier.
At Shah Alam Stadium, Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz gave JDT the lead after 64 minutes to become the league's top scorer with 18 goals, and almost secure his side's unbeaten status on the domestic front.
Ahmad Hazwan Bakri gave the Red Giants some cheer with an equaliser six minutes later. But Amri, who was selected in Malaysia's squad for the AFF Cup this week, finished off the Southern Tigers season on a high after S. Chanturu's assist.
The victory comes after their bitterly disappointing 3-1 defeat to Bengaluru FC of India in Wednesday's AFC Cup semifinals that sent the 2015 champions out of the competition.
But they still finished the season with three trophies -- the MSL, the Malaysia FA Cup and the Charity Shield. The Southern Tigers had a 2016 league record of 18 wins, four draws, and no defeats, in their 22 league matches.
A photo posted by Johor Darul Ta'zim FC��⭐ (@johordtfc) on
At the other end of the table, Guilherme De Paula gave PDRM early hope with a 26th minute lead against the Crocs.
But, without their influential Singapore import Safuwan Baharuddin, their flimsy backline conceded on the stroke on halftime to Gilmar's leveller. Nur Shamie had the last say with a crucial Crocs' goal, dooming the club side to the second tier.
There was plenty of late drama elsewhere, as Penang substitute striker Faizat Ghazli struck a winner a minute before injury time to condemn Terengganu to the Premier League, with a 1-0 triumph at the City Stadium.
The loss meant Ifran Bakti will need to guide the Turtles in the second division next season, with the experienced coach all but putting pen to paper for a stint in Kuala Terengganu.
Kedah's New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz also struck a late winner against Felda United on Friday, while T-Team held Pahang to a 1-1 draw.
Pahang had escaped relegation on Thursday after the FA of Malaysia awarded them with a 3-0 triumph over Kedah on Aug. 3 after the latter fielded a suspended player for the clash at the Darul Aman Stadium.
One other result saw Kelantan hold Perak to a 2-2 draw.