KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Terengganu FC (TFC) and Selangor FC began their Super League campaigns in style today, with the Turtles defeating Melaka FC 3-0 at home and the Red Giants downing Kelantan FC 4-1 away from home.
At the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Nerus, the Turtles, coached by Mohd Nafuzi Zain, got the ball rolling through Curacao striker Gervane Kastaneer, who latched onto a pass from Victor Ruiz to slot home in the 11th minute.
Ruiz then added his name on the scoresheet when he unleashed a thunderbolt from distance to put TFC 2-0 up in the 40th minute.
Melaka, coached by E. Elavarasan, almost got a goal back but V. Ruventhiran's shot hit the crossbar and sailed out.
But Kastaneer made sure there was no way back for Melaka when he slotted home the third goal in the 80th minute to hand TFC all three points.
Meanwhile, in Kota Bharu, Kelantan Red Warriors failed to take advantage of homeground advantage and succumbed to a 4-1 defeat by Selangor.
The game, which began with Selangor the more aggressive and threatening of the two teams, was stopped for 15 minutes by referee Mohamad Kamil Zakaria in the ninth minute due to heavy rain.
Once the game resumed, it didn't take Selangor long to break the deadlock, with import player Chrigor Moraes heading home a cross from the right in the 18th minute.
Faisal Halim then stole the limelight with two goals to put the Red Giants 3-0 up, beating Kelantan goalkeeper Amin Faisal with a solo effort in the 28th minute before getting his second by dribbling past three defenders and letting fly a thunderous shot in the 49th minute.
Undaunted, Kelantan managed to narrow the deficit in the 60th minute when Philip Musa steered a low cross into the Selangor goalmouth, raising hopes of a fightback.
However, Chigor doused their hopes when he scored his second, and Selangor's fourth, with a powerful header to make sure the Red Giants trooped off with a comfortable 4-1 win.
-- BERNAMA