BRAZILIAN CONNECTION
New signings Ronaldo and Careca lead Perak into FA Cup semi-finals
FANCY having Ronaldo and Careca in your team?
The Brazilians, not the famous World Cup heroes from the South American nation, were Perak’s trump cards in their first appearance for the club on Saturday.
Perak reached the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Perak SEDC in the quarter-final return leg in Ipoh following a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Manjung.
Ronaldo Silva and Raianderson Morais (also know as Careca), who were brought in to beef up Perak’s attack, were exceptional with the former scoring a brace in 23rd and 88th minutes.
Giancarlo Rodrigues replied for Perak SEDC in the 72nd minute.
Silva is determined to make history with
Perak and hopes to end his new team’s 15year drought in the FA Cup.
“The game was tough. I scored the first goal before Perak SEDC replied but we never gave up,” said Silva, who played for J2 League side Yokohama FC last season, on Saturday.
“It was the fighting spirit that helped us win today. I will work harder to help Perak in the remaining matches.
“I am so happy to be here. I want to thank my coach (Mehmet Durakovic) for bringing me to Perak. I hope to make history here.”
Durakovic described Silva and Morais as “different class”.
“We fought hard while our two new signings were in a different class. We created a lot of chances and could have scored more goals.
“However, it doesn’t matter as we won the match,” said Durakovic, whose team will face defending champions Pahang in the semi-finals.
Perak will take on Perak SEDC again tomorrow in the Super League in Ipoh.
RESULTS — FA Cup, Q-finals, 2nd leg: Felda United 0 Kuala Lumpur 0 (3-3 on agg, Felda advance on away goals), Perak 2 Perak SEDC 1(Perak win 2-1 on aggregate).
Premier League: UiTM 1 UKM 0, Penang 4 Kelantan 1, Police 6 Sarawak 2.