Defending champions Pahang beat the Southern Tigers 4-2 on penalties
Last year it was in the semi-finals but this time Pahang inflicted a painful 4-2 defeat on penalties in the second round as star-studded Johor Darul Takzim were shown the exit in the FA Cup at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on Monday.
And with that Pahang snuffed out JDT’s hopes of a treble in the M-League this year. The Elephants thus gained sweet revenge for their 2-0 defeat to the Southern Tigers in the Charity Shield at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru on Jan 31. The curtain raiser also counted as a Super League match which gave JDT three points.
Pahang, who won the FA Cup last year with a 2-1 win over Felda United in the final, stay on course to retain the silverware.
On Monday night, playing in front of their home fans, Pahang grabbed the lead after 20 minutes of play through their Argentine hitman Matias Conti but failed to add to their tally and paid the price when the visitors equalised through a stinging shot from Singaporean import Hariss Harun off a corner by Nazrin Nawi.
Extra time failed to produce a winner and both teams were forced into the penalty shootout. Pahang struck rich in the lottery after JDT’s Luciano Figueroa and new signing from Sarawak Junior Eldstal muffed their spot kicks while Safee Salee and Hariss converted theirs.
Pahang, on the other hand, were on target with Conti, Damion Stewart, Zesh Rehman and Razman Roslan getting their names into the scoresheet and the home fans celebrated.
In last year’s FA Cup semi-finals Pahang beat JDT 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw at Larkin. Pahang won the return-leg in Kuantan 1-0.
RESULT (FA CUP 2nd Round, March 2)
Pahang 1 JDT 1
(Pahang advance after 4-2 win on penalties)
PICTURES by www.asiana.my
