All to play for
Tantalising ties in Malaysia Cup semis second leg after stalemate
PETALING JAYA: It’s D-Day!
Thrilling encounters are in store in the second leg of the Malaysia Cup semi-finals today.
Only a thin line separates Johor Darul Ta’zimPerak and Kedah-Felda United from making it to the final at the Shah Alam Stadium on Nov 4.
It’s anybody’s game after both first-leg clashes ended 1-1 last Sunday.
On paper, all indications point to a showdown between Super League champions JDT and FA Cup winners Kedah.
And it could be a first Cup final meeting between these two teams in the 96-year-old history of the competition (which started as the HMS Malaya Cup in 1921).
JDT’s feared reputation at their fortress – Larkin Stadium – makes them the favourites when they host Perak today. The Southern Tigers are undefeated at home in the Super League for four seasons now.
JDT will rely on their fearsome attacking trio of Gabriel Guerra, Gonzalo Cabrera and Mohammed Ghaddar to get the job done. Between them they have scored 48 goals in 17 matches in all competitions at home this season.
“We are feeling upbeat and the players are at their highest level to face Perak. The players are excited to get a shot at the Malaysia Cup because it is the only trophy missing in our cabinet,” said JDT coach Ulisses Morais.
In the 2014 Cup final, Pahang beat them 5-3 on penalties after the match was tied at 2-2 after extra-time.
Their opponents Perak have received a timely boost with the return of Brazilian midfielder Leandro Santos from an ankle injury.
This should give added strength in the engine room as their defence were in shambles during the first leg.
In Ipoh, it was from national centreback Mohamed Shahrom Kalam’s blunder that resulted in JDT scoring the equaliser.
In the other match-up, the Kedah-Felda tie is set to be an explosive affair at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar.
Defending champions Kedah are the most consistent team in the competition and are eyeing their third consecutive final.
Coach Mohd Nidzam Adzha has an established side but the major setback is that he will miss two stalwarts – Kosovan midfielder Liridon Krasniqi and skipper Khairul Helmi Johari – both out on suspensions.
Felda coach B. Sathianathan said his men are ready to upset the form book.
“It’s 50-50 and it could end up in shootouts, too. My boys are determined to win. We have had good momentum in our last four matches. We had wins over Kedah (3-1) and JDT (3-2) too. So, we are looking at a spot in the final,” said Sathianathan.