Johor ended at quarter-final round after losing to Kelantan 1-3 in Men’s Football event of Sukan Malaysia(SUKMA) 2024 at Pandang MDDM, Mukah.
Both teams entered the match with high stakes, with Kelantan advancing as Group A champions and Johor as Group B runners-up.
The match began with Kelantan, under the leadership of coach Ariff Haji Hashim, looking for an early advantage. Johor faced an early setback when they had to substitute Danish Hakimi Sahaludin with Danish Irham Mohd Nazri.
Kelantan fans were thrilled when an own goal by Johor goalkeeper Haziq Aiman Mohd Esa in the eighth minute gave Kelantan an early lead. However, Johor quickly responded, and Naim Zainudin equalized in the 18th minute, bringing the score to 1-1.
Kelantan regained the lead in the 28th minute through a goal by Muhammad Shahril Sobri, making it 2-1 before halftime. Johor, coached by Gonzalo Sanz Zaballos, pushed hard for another equalizer, but Kelantan’s goalkeeper, Adika Arman Azmi, kept them at bay.
In the second half, Johor made further changes, bringing on G. Pavithran in place of Fakrul Haikal Razali to bolster their attack. Despite their efforts, Kelantan’s Shahril Sobri struck again in the 58th minute, scoring his second goal of the match and extending Kelantan’s lead to 3-1.
Johor continued to press but found no way past the impressive Adika Arman. Kelantan’s solid defense and clinical finishing were enough to see them through to the semi-finals.
Kelantan will be joined in the semi-finals by fellow East Coast representatives Terengganu, who defeated Selangor 3-1 in another quarter-final clash.
Credit Photo : JST
