Defending champions Kedah paved the way for Melaka to end a decade long wait for a place in the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals – thanks to Kedah’s 2-0 win over Kelantan in Alor Setar in Saturday’s Group C match.
Melaka were bashed 5-3 by Premier League outfit UiTM FC at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam on a night when Pahang edged Terengganu’s T-Team 3-2 in Kuantan to join in the last eight from Group B.
A hattrick by Akanni – scoring in the 12th, 37th and 90th minutes paved the way for UiTM FC’s helped by a brace by Korean Do Dong-hyun. Melaka scorers were Jeon Woo-young, Azinee Taib and Fauzi Roslan.
In a Group D match played at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru the Southern Tigers outplayed Selangor 3-1 for their first win over the Red Giants this season.
The win gave Johor Darul Takzim top spot in the group with 13 points while Selangor finished second on 10 points. In the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals JDT will face Melaka while Selangor face a daunting task against Kedah.
JDT took their home wins in all competitions to 40 but defeating Selangor was extra sweet for the Southern Tigers who lost twice – once in the league and once in the Malaysia Cup group match and drew once (in the league) to the Red Giants.
However, JDT gave a polished display at Larkin exact sweet revenge, riding on a brace by Lebanese international Mohammed Ghaddar and one by former international Gary Steven Robbats for a convincing 3-1 win. Selangor replied through Brazilian Rufino Segoria.
An under-strength Kedah, playing without half of their first team, were still too good for the Red Warriors who have been plagued by management problems plus salary disputes. Kedah won with goals by Sandro Mendoca and Ken Ilso to keep their place at the top of Group C with 15 points.
Despite the big defeat to UiTM FC, Melaka made the quarter-finals from the group with six points. Melaka, however, face an uphill task against JDT – who won their fourth Super League title this year.
PKNP (Perak State Economic Development Corporation) who had already assured themselves of a place on top of Group A and a place in the quarter-finals, drew scoreless against Negri Sembilan at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Paroi. PKNP finished with 11 points.
Pahang sneaked into second place with nine points after a 3-2 win over T-Team. Both, Pahang and T-Team needed a win to advance but the Elephants rode on their homeground advantage with goals by Matheus Alves, Nor Azam Azih and Yamil Romero. T-Team replied through Syed Sobri and Abdoulaye Maiza. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
MALAYSIA CUP RESULTS (SEPT 9)
GROUP A
Pahang 3 T-Team 2
N.Sembilan 0 PKNP 0
GROUP B
Perak 2 Felda United 1
K.Lumpur 2 PKNS FC 0
GROUP C
Kedah 2 Kelantan 0
UiTM FC 5 Melaka 3
GROUP D
JDT 3 Selangor 1
Terengganu 3 Sarawak 3
