KUALA LUMPUR: Midfielder Syazwan Zainon shone for Kedah as they thrashed Kelantan United 3-0 in the Malaysia Cup at Darulaman Stadium in Alor Star yesterday.
The nippy winger's brace in the 14th and 58th minute, which sandwiched teammate Tchetche Kipre's 45th+3 minute goal, got the Red Eagles off to a flying start in their Group C opener.
Another Group C match ended with hosts Melaka recording a comfortable 2-0 win over Premier League champions Negri Sembilan at the Hang Jebat Stadium.
The match was stopped in the 12th minute due to lightning and resumed 25 minutes later. But the delay didn't affect the Mousedeer who scored through Adriano Narcizo in the 27th minute and S. Kumaahran in the 65th minute.
At the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim kicked off their Malaysia Cup campaign in style, sweeping aside Premier League outfit Kelantan 2-0 in Group D.
The Southern Tigers were in their element at home with Brazilian Bergson Da Silva converting a spot-kick in the 31st minute after winger Aiman Arif Hanapi was felled by a Kelantan defender.
Safawi Rashid doubled the hosts' lead in the 49th minute after beating Kelantan's offside trap to slot the ball past goalkeeper Farizal Harun.
The Group D match between Sabah and Petaling Jaya City ended in a 1-1 stalemate at the MBPJ Stadium.
The Rhinos' South Korean centre back Park Tae-Su fired in a long range freekick to beat the Phoenix's custodian Kalamullah Al-Hafiz in the 21st minute.
The visitors could have doubled their lead after PJ City defender Raffi Nagoorgani fouled N. Thanabalan in the box. However Kalamullah saved the resulting penalty kick taken by Levy Madinda in the 68th minute.
PJ City striker Darren Lok salvaged a point for the hosts when he struck the equaliser in the 79th minute.
RESULTS
Group C
Kedah 3 Kelantan Utd 0
Melaka Utd 2 Negri 0
Group D
JDT 2 Kelantan 0
PJ City 1 Sabah 1
