ALIF IKMALRIZAL'S LONE STRIKE ENABLE PENANG TO BEAT KL CITY 1-0

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur City FC’s (KL City) hopes of returning to winning ways in the Super League competition were dashed when they narrowly lost 1-0 to Penang FC at the City Stadium, Georgetown, tonight.

Striker Muhammad Alif Ikmalrizal Anuar emerged as the home team’s hero when his goal in the first half was enough to give them three full points and register their second consecutive victory after having beaten Negeri Sembilan FC 2-0 on April 5.

Although the match started quite evenly, the visitors' failure to keep track of Alif Ikmalrizal's movement made it easier for him to trap a pass from the left by defender Muhammad Adib Abdul Ra'op in the 27th minute to strike home.

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As soon as the second half resumed, KL City equalised through import midfielder Patrick Reichelt's header but their joy did not last long when the Video Referee Assistance (VAR) ruled out the goal for offside.

Penang, who had often had to absorb KL City's onslaught, almost doubled the lead before opposing goalkeeper Muhammad Azri Ab Ghani did brilliantly to parry a fierce shot from outside the box by substitute Neto Oliveira in the 81st minute.

The final minutes of the match were tense with several incidents of crude tackles that resulted in import Adrijan Rudovic being sent off after collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Muhammad Akid Mohd Zamri in injury time.

KL City's second consecutive defeat after falling to Perak FC 1-2 on April 6, did not affect their sixth position with 28 points while Penang are in 10th place with 26 points.

Meanwhile, substitute Nasrullah Haniff Johan made amends for his own goalscoring mistake in the 77th minute when his second-half injury goal gave Negeri Sembilan FC three full points as they beat Kelantan Darul Naim (KDN) FC 2-1 at the Sultan Sultan Muhammad Ke-IV Stadium in Kota Bharu.

Earlier, Negeri Sembilan took the lead through Japanese import Takumi Sasaki in the 42nd minute before the hosts equalised through Nasrullah's own goal.

The fourth win of the season saw Negeri remain in 12th position in the league with 16 points, while KDN stayed put in 13th position.

--BERNAMA