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PETALING JAYA – Thirty-three time Malaysia Cup winners Selangor FC rolled back the years with a vintage performance to come from behind and secure a convincing 3-1 win over high-riding Terengganu FC in the first leg of their Malaysia Cup semi-final clash at MBPJ Stadium, here tonight.
Terengganu’s defeat not only dealt a blow to their pride and Malaysia Cup hopes, but also ended a run of nine consecutive wins – while, coincidentally, the win was Selangor’s ninth since former national coach Tan Cheng Hoe took over the ailing team in September.
In the match that featured both teams for the second time at the semifinal stage of the Malaysia Cup (first in 2011),
In the teams’ second semi-final clash in the competition – the first coming in 2011 – Terengganu took the early initiative by launching a series of attacks, which resulted in a free kick that was powered in by skipper Kipre Tchetche in the 19th minute.
Three minutes later Terengganu, under coach Mohd Nafuzi Mohd Zain, had a golden opportunity to increase the lead but Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim’s defence-splitting pass into the box from the right flank was missed by striker Kpah Sherman before Selangor goalkeeper Mohd Khairulazhan Mohd Khalid gladly cleared the ball.
Khairulazhan was again called into action when he saved a close attempt by Manuel Ott and Terengganu were left to rue their misses in the 37th minute when Selangor’s towering defender Richmond Tetteh Ankrah headed in a corner from Muhammad Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi to equalise.
The goal proved to be just the tonic that Selangor needed as the hosts piled on the pressure and, four minutes later, Terengganu goalkeeper Suhaimi Husin was once again beaten when Selangor striker Herlison Caion De Souza Ferreira sneaked in to head home a corner kick taken by Mukhairi.
With Herlison’s strike, his fifth goal in the Malaysia Cup campaign, Selangor went into the dressing room with a 2-1 lead.
Selangor’s momentum continued after the break and they extended their lead in the 54th minute, courtesy of another Mukhairi corner.
This time it was defender Sharul Nazeem Zulpakar who headed in the set piece.
Terengganu, who clinched the Malaysia Cup in 2001 and emerged as runners-up in 2018, will have a mountain to climb when both teams meet in their semi-final second leg at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak on November 21. – Bernama, November 17, 2022
