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Safiq Rahim showed no ill effects from the controversy surrounding his sudden international retirement this week, scoring a brace and setting up two other goals as Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) thrashed Kedah FA 5-0 in the Malaysia Super League on Saturday night. The victory, that also saw Argentina's Jorge Pereyra Diaz scoring twice, maintains the defending champions' position at the top of the table. JDT, who were held to a 2-2 home draw with PKNS in the Malaysia Cup on Tuesday night, started strongly and should have taken the lead through Diaz in the second minute. The striker, however, hit his effort straight at Kedah custodian Farhan Abu Bakar, with the goalmouth gaping. The league leaders continued to pour forward and duly took the lead through Safiq in the 28th minute. Diaz's cross was not cleared by Azmeer Yusof. Lucero pounced by robbing the left back of possession in the penalty box before hanging a cross for the JDT captain to head home. Despite absorbing incessant pressure, Kedah could have drawn level four minutes later. Baddrol's free kick found an unmarked Shane Smeltz in the box, but the former Sydney FC striker could only shoot directly at Farizal and the keeper repelled him comfortably. Farhan was kept busy in the Kedah goal, tipping over a Juan Martin Lucero effort before Diaz headed the follow up from a corner just wide. The visitors kept gifting JDT acres of space in the final third, and were duly punished again in the 40th minute. Azamuddin Akil had time to check his run before threading an exquisite through ball for Diaz who squared for Safiq to slid home his second of the night. Mario Gomez's men did not show any signs of easing the tempo after the break, with Diaz's header hacked off the line on the hour mark as JDT looked to put the game to bed. The champions did not have to wait long to do so, as Marcos Antonio's strike in the 66th minute sealed the contest. Safiq was once again involved, sweeping a low free kick for Diaz, whose shot deflected into the path of the centre-back. Antonio made no mistake, firing into the top corner to make it 3-0. The hard working Diaz made it four in the 81st minute, heading home a Safiq corner before he completed the rout four minutes later to round off JDT's dominant victory. Elsewhere, Selangor came from behind to defeat PDRM FA 2-1 at Shah Alam Stadium, with the winner coming in the 90th minute from new signing, Ugo Ukah. Felda United stayed two points behind JDT, courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Perak, South Korean Jeong Seok-min and Nigerian Ranti Martins both scored twice as struggling Penang won 4-3 at T-Team, and new Argentine striker Pablo Vranjicán grabbed both goals in a 2-0 triumph for Pahang against Sarawak. In the Premier League, leaders Melaka United beat close rivals Kuala Lumpur FA 2-1. JDT: Farizal Marlias (GK), Azamuddin Akil (S. Chanturu 81'), Marcos Antonio, Aidil Zafuan, Safiq Rahim (C), Jorge Pereyra Diaz, S. Kunanlan, Hariss Harun, Fazly Mazlan, Amri Yahyah, Juan Lucero Kedah: Farhan Abu Bakar (GK), Khair Helmi (C), Bang Seung Hwan, Azmeer Yusof, Rizal Ghazali, Amar Rohidan, Liridon Krasniqi, Baddrol Bakhtiar (Ariff Farhan 74'), Syazwan Zainon (Farhan Roslan 61'), Shane Smeltz, Thiago Agusto (Syafiq Ahmad 67')
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