Liga Super: Azfar Hat-Trick Fires Star City to 5-2 Rout at KRW

Visitors lead 3-0 at half-time and hold off a home fightback in Kota Bharu

Star City FC took all three points with a 5-2 win over hosts Kelantan Red Warrior (KRW) in the Malaysia Super League at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium on Friday night. Azfar Fikri scored a hat-trick.

KRW were looking to recover from a 3-2 defeat to Penang FA in their previous league game. Star City, who were formerly known as Imigresen FC, were hoping to carry on from a 3-2 win over Selangor in the FA Cup, which still left them knocked out on aggregate.

KRW coach Irfan Bakti again relied on the experienced Faiz Nasir to drive the midfield. Star City boss Mehmed Durakovic put his faith in new captain Endrick Dos Santos in the middle.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. Azfar met Dos Santos’s cross with a header, and the goal stood after VAR overturned an initial offside call.

Star City added a second in the 45th minute when Pedro Santos headed in Moses Atede’s corner. Azfar then made it 3-0 before the break, slotting home Douglas Oliveira’s pass after slipping free of the defence.

KRW started the second half more aggressively and got one back in the 52nd minute. Mohd Faudzi calmly finished a cross from a teammate.

Star City hit back in the 60th minute. Azfar completed his hat-trick through a determined individual effort, the shot deflecting off a defender to make it 4-1.

KRW captain Arham Khusyairi scored a long-range goal in the 68th minute to make it 4-2. Irfan sent on young striker Rizuan Muda for Mazwan Che Mat in search of more attacking options.

Star City sealed the win late on when Ramon Machado converted a penalty awarded after Oliveira was fouled in the box.

KRW, who are playing in the Super League for the first time after replacing the withdrawn PDRM FC, face Sabah FC on 21 November. Star City meet Selangor again in the Super League on 1 November.

Credit Photo : SCFC