Selangor: Five-time champions Selangor FC have advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals despite a 2-3 loss to Negeri Sembilan FC in the return leg of the quarter-finals at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium in Kelana Jaya. Their substantial 4-0 victory in the first leg at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on October 18 was sufficient to secure a 6-3 aggregate win, setting up a semi-final clash against Sabah FC.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Negeri Sembilan made an early impact with a 12th-minute goal by defender Muhammad Harith Samsuri, assisted by a corner from Japanese import Takumi Sasaki. The team extended their lead in the 27th minute through striker N. Javabilaarivin’s header, following a cross from Ghanaian Joseph Esso. Selangor responded just before halftime when Brazilian striker Willian Lira’s deflected shot found the net after a cross from Quentin Cheng.
In the second half, Negeri Sembilan’s Japanese player Mio Tsuneyasu scored their third goal with a solo run down the right flank in the 80th minute. However, Selangor’s winger Muhammad Faisal Abdul Halim secured the team’s progression with a second goal in the 87th minute, courtesy of a pass from substitute Omid Musawi.
Meanwhile, Sabah FC powered through to the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Kelantan The Real Warriors (TRW) FC at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu. Bosnian import Ajdin Mujagic was instrumental in the win, scoring a hat-trick that contributed to a 5-2 aggregate triumph. Ajdin netted the opening goal in the 10th minute, followed by a second 10 minutes later, and completed his hat-trick with a penalty in the 56th minute. Kelantan TRW’s sole goal came from Filipino right-back Simen Lyngbo during first-half stoppage time.
In the other semi-final match-up, four-time champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are set to face Kuching City FC. JDT secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 5-1 aggregate victory over Penang FC, while Kuching City made history by advancing to this stage for the first time after defeating Terengganu FC 5-3 on aggregate.