An epic Malaysia Cup semi-final is in store when 33-time champions Selangor sent defending champions Perak out of the Malaysia Cup with a 3-1 win in the second-leg quarter-final at the Shah Alam Stadium on Sunday to advance 3-2 on aggregate.
The Red Giants who were beaten 1-0 in the first-leg in Ipoh last week led 3-0 before Brendan Gan pulled one back for Perak in the 83rd minute to give the Bos Gaurus some hope that never came.
Selangor’s Kedah-connection – former internationals Syazwan Zainon and Khyril Muhymeen – struck the killer blows on a night when Perak’s Brazilian midfielder Leandro dos Santos lived up to his reputation as the “instigator” and was rather lucky to have played the full match.
Syazwan opened the scoring on 33 minutes when he reacted fast from a corner kick by Endrick Dos Santos to beat Perak custodian Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy from close range. It was 2-0 up for the Red Giants into the halftime break.
This time Khyril ran through to pick up an Ifedayo Olusegun ball and drill home past the onrushing Hafizul to put further pressure on the champions. Selangor grew in confidence by the minute.
When Khyril completed his brace on 67 minutes after running through for a long ball Perak added some intensity in their game and international Brendan Gan finally reduced the deficit but that was as far the Bos Gauros could go.
Selangor will battle six-time Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim for a place in the final.
At the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan, it Pahang’s foreign power that ruled the return-leg quarter against Melaka United. Nigerian hitman hit a brace in (64th, 76th) after Namibian Lazarus Kaimbi opened the scoring in the 41st minute for a 3-1 win.
The Elephants advanced on a 6-1 aggregate, having won the first leg at the Hang Jebat Stadium by a healthy 3-0 margin.
Melaka’s consolation goal was scored by Nazrin Nawi in the 54th minute.
Kedah whipped PKNP (Perak SEDC) 4-1 to reach the semi-finals 6-2 on aggregate and will face Pahang in the two-leg semi-finals. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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