Johor Darul Ta'zin (JDT) got their Malaysian Super League title defence off to a good start with a 2-1 win over Kedah in the curtain-raiser at the Larkin Stadium on Saturday.
Despite dominating the early minutes, the Southern Tigers fell 1-0 behind with Pablo Pallares capitalising on a defensive mistake in the 14th minute.
The home side drew level in the 28th minute through the returning Luciano Figueroa, who headed in a Safiq Rahim cross past goalkeeper Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim.
JDT continued to put pressure on Kedah defenders and were rewarded with a goal from Marcos Antonio, who was at the right place to head in new signing La'Vere Corbin-Ong's cross.
It was enough to see off the game as the 2-1 win saw JDT win the Charity Cup for the third time in four years.
At the Hang Jebat Stadium, Melaka United also produced a 2-1 comeback win as they beat Kelantan.
Bruno Lopez put the Red Warriors ahead in the fourth minute, but the hosts responded through Yahor Zubovich and Jeon Woo-young.
East Coast neighbours Terengganu almost followed in Kelantan's footsteps in succumbing to a 2-1 defeat, but Kipre Tchetche popped up with a late equaliser in Kuala Terengganu.
The Ivorian forward had already given the Turtles the lead in the 36th minute before Qayyum Marjoni Sabil and two-time S.League Golden Boot winner Rafael Ramazotti de Quadros struck for K. Rajagopal's team.
In an earlier evening kick-off, PKNP started their new life in the Super League with a 1-0 home win over fellow promoted side Negeri Sembilan.
Cambodia international Keo Sokpheng's strike in the 49th minute was enough to seal a win for his team as he became the first player from his country to score in Malaysian Super League history.
It was also the first time a Cambodian scored in Malaysian football since February 2012 when Phanny Ratha and Prak Mony Udom helped Preah Khan Reach beat Penang 2-1 in the FA Cup.
The opening games of the 2018 season remaining are Pahang facing Perak at the Darul Makmur Stadium and Kuala Lumpur taking on Selangor at the Cheras Stadium on Sunday.
Despite dominating the early minutes, the Southern Tigers fell 1-0 behind with Pablo Pallares capitalising on a defensive mistake in the 14th minute.
The home side drew level in the 28th minute through the returning Luciano Figueroa, who headed in a Safiq Rahim cross past goalkeeper Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim.
JDT continued to put pressure on Kedah defenders and were rewarded with a goal from Marcos Antonio, who was at the right place to head in new signing La'Vere Corbin-Ong's cross.
It was enough to see off the game as the 2-1 win saw JDT win the Charity Cup for the third time in four years.
At the Hang Jebat Stadium, Melaka United also produced a 2-1 comeback win as they beat Kelantan.
Bruno Lopez put the Red Warriors ahead in the fourth minute, but the hosts responded through Yahor Zubovich and Jeon Woo-young.
East Coast neighbours Terengganu almost followed in Kelantan's footsteps in succumbing to a 2-1 defeat, but Kipre Tchetche popped up with a late equaliser in Kuala Terengganu.
The Ivorian forward had already given the Turtles the lead in the 36th minute before Qayyum Marjoni Sabil and two-time S.League Golden Boot winner Rafael Ramazotti de Quadros struck for K. Rajagopal's team.
In an earlier evening kick-off, PKNP started their new life in the Super League with a 1-0 home win over fellow promoted side Negeri Sembilan.
Cambodia international Keo Sokpheng's strike in the 49th minute was enough to seal a win for his team as he became the first player from his country to score in Malaysian Super League history.
It was also the first time a Cambodian scored in Malaysian football since February 2012 when Phanny Ratha and Prak Mony Udom helped Preah Khan Reach beat Penang 2-1 in the FA Cup.
The opening games of the 2018 season remaining are Pahang facing Perak at the Darul Makmur Stadium and Kuala Lumpur taking on Selangor at the Cheras Stadium on Sunday.
