Selangor, Sabah Advance To FA Cup Semi-finals

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Five-time champions Selangor FC booked their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals after advancing past Negeri Sembilan FC with a 6-3 aggregate despite losing 2-3 in the return leg of the quarter-finals at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium in Kelana Jaya tonight.

The 4-0 victory in the first leg at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Oct 18 was enough to send the Red Giants through to the last four, where they will face Sabah FC for a place in the final.

Negeri Sembilan stunned the hosts early when defender Muhammad Harith Samsuri’s effort from a corner taken by Japanese import Takumi Sasaki slipped past goalkeeper Kalamullah Al Hafiz Mat Rowi in the 12th minute.

The “Hobin Jang Hobin” side doubled their lead in the 27th minute through striker N. Javabilaarivin, who headed in a cross from Ghanaian import Joseph Esso to make it 2-0 for Mohd Nidzam Jamil’s men.

Selangor, however, pulled one back three minutes before the break when Brazilian striker Willian Lira connected with Quentin Cheng’s cross from the right, with his shot deflecting off Negeri Sembilan defender Filip Andersen into the net.

Japanese player Mio Tsuneyasu made a solo run down the right flank to score Negeri Sembilan’s third goal in the 80th minute, but winger Muhammad Faisal Abdul Halim sealed Selangor’s progress with their second goal, courtesy of a pass from substitute Omid Musawi in the 87th minute.

Meanwhile, a hat-trick from Bosnian import Ajdin Mujagic powered Sabah FC to a 3-1 victory over Kelantan The Real Warriors (TRW) FC at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, earning the 1995 champions a 5-2 aggregate win to reach the semi-finals.

Ajdin opened the scoring in the 10th minute, doubled Sabah’s advantage 10 minutes later and completed his hat-trick by converting a penalty in the 56th minute. Kelantan TRW’s consolation goal came from Filipino right-back Simen Lyngbo in first-half stoppage time.

In the other semi-final, four-time champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) will face Kuching City FC. JDT secured their semi-final berth yesterday after defeating Penang FC 5-1 on aggregate, while Kuching City created history by advancing to the stage for the first time after eliminating Terengganu FC 5-3 on aggregate.

-- BERNAMA