SUPER LEAGUE: MELAKA FC COMEBACK KEEPS SURVIVAL PUSH ALIVE - ELAVARASAN

MELAKA, March 16 (Bernama) -- Melaka FC boosted their fight to climb the Malaysia Super League table after staging a 2-1 comeback victory over Kelantan The Real Warriors last night.

Head coach E Elavarasan said the three points were crucial with only five matches remaining in the season.

“We made several mistakes in the first half, but we adjusted our tactics after the break, and the players improved their performance.

“When facing a competitive team, the players must raise their level. The substitutions helped, and we had no excuse not to win because every point is important,” he told reporters after the match at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Krubong.

Kelantan struck first through Enzo Nicolas Jacques Celestine in the 12th minute, but Melaka responded before the interval when Ahmed Ayman Shamsaldin Abdalazem levelled in the 44th minute.

The hosts completed the turnaround in the 66th minute through Che Rashid Che Halim.

Elavarasan said the team will use the period after Aidilfitri to fine-tune preparations ahead of their next home fixture against Sabah FC next month.

Meanwhile, Kelantan The Real Warriors fitness coach Kamarul Dinis Kamarudin said fatigue from a demanding travel schedule had affected the team’s performance.

He noted the squad had played six matches away from Kota Bharu in quick succession, with limited recovery time between fixtures.

Despite the defeat, he praised the players’ commitment and said the team would continue improving their cohesion for the remaining matches of the season.

Melaka FC now sit 12th in the league with 14 points, while Kelantan The Real Warriors remain 11th with 15 points.

-- BERNAMA