NIGHTMARE IN ALOR SETAR

KEDAH 4 TERENGGANU 0

Terengganu went to Alor Setar with hopes of registring their first win over the home side Kedah this season after losing both their matches against the Canaries in the Malaysian FA Cup semi-finals recently. Unfortunately, they performed well below par during the match which was screened 'live' by the private sports channel, Astro Arena to lose by four goals without reply, the Turtles heaviest defeat this season.

Former Terengganu striker, Azlan Ismail came back to haunt his former team by scoring a hattrick during the match. Kedah had earlier taken the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half through Malaysian international Baddrol Bakhtiar wonderful strike from outside the penalty area. Then it was the Azlan Shows began in the second half.

The Kelantan born striker increased the home side lead when his shot was too hot for goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee to handle. The wet ball squirmed from the Malaysian custodian's grasp and despite his best effort could not prevent it from going over the line. Terengganu defence were in shambles and they conceded the third goal when they went asleep to allow Azlan to steal in front of Sharbinee and scored from close range.

Terengganu were further demoralised when young temperamental defender, Hariri Safii was dismissed for elbowing a Kedah player during a tussle. From the resultant free-kick, Terengganu's misery was further compounded when Azlan latched onto a set-up by a team-mate with a first time shot that was so good it would beat almost all goalkeeper in the Super League.

The heaviest defeat of the season also saw Terengganu being overtaken by neighbour Kelantan to the second spot in the Malaysian Super League. However Irfan Bakti's boys have the chance to amend things when they entertain Kedah at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium this Saturday.

Having seen their team lost 2-0 during the FA Cup semi-final, Terengganu fans will be hoping their team will be able to buck the trend and register their first win over Kedah this season in order to maintain their push for their maiden Malaysian Super League title.

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