Kedah edged Victory by 1-0

Victory's starting line up against Kedah, photo: Victory SC

Male', MALDIVES - Kedah edged Victory of Maldives 1-0 at the Darulaman Stadium. Kedah, missing several key players, have to thank Baddrol Bakhtiar for his 48th minute winner in their Group D match. Their coach Mohd Azraai Khor left national midfielder Mohd Khyril Muhymeen on the bench while Chilean Nelson Martin was not even in the squad.

But still there was plenty for the 20,000 crowd to cheer as Marlon James and Shafiq Jamal were constant threats to the visitors.

The homesters' best chance came in the 14th minute when Shafiq's right-footer looked goal-worthy until Victory's goalkeeper Imran Mohamed kept it out.

Despite dominating the first half, there was no goals to show at halftime. But it took only three minutes after the restart for Kedah to go ahead.

Baddrol latched onto Fauzi Saari's cross to blast the ball into goal.

Fauzi almost extended Kedah's lead in the 54th minute but his attempt was cleared on the line.

Thereafter, match officials from Jordan took over with their dubious calls. Four Kedah players and one from Victory were booked. Worse was to come. Coach Mohd Azraai was banished to the stands in the 67th minute for protesting against the referee's decision.

source: thestar