Selangor's Herlison Caion (centre) eventually got Selangor's second goal when he chipped the ball over Damien Lim. - Bernama
PETALING JAYA: The heavens opened up in Kota Kinabalu but it did not deter Sabah and Selangor from dishing out some end-to-end action in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
But the visitors held the edge on the soggy pitch as they downed the Rhinos 2-0 at the Likas Stadium to qualify for the semi-finals.
The Red Giants winger Hyuri Henrique got the first goal in just 40 seconds when he capitalised on a defensive mix-up between goalkeeper Damien Lim and centreback Dominic Tan.
The goal sparked an exchange of attacks from both sides and fans at the stadium were treated to some delightful football.
Sabah wished they had taken their chances well while Selangor could have wrapped up the game early if Henrique and Herlison Caion had finished off the chances created by playmakers Hein Htet Aung and Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi.
However, in the 81st minute, Caion eventually got Selangor’s second when he chipped the ball over Damien.
Selangor will now face Terengganu, who defeated Kuching 4-1, in the semi-finals at the Sultan Mizan Stadium.
Selangor coach Michael Feichtenbeiner admitted that the early goal was a big factor in winning the match.
“We started well, a bit lucky with the goal, but we were focused from the beginning. The early goal helped us gain confidence against a tough team like Sabah,” said the German.
“I felt we controlled the game and created some good chances via transitions. We defended well when Sabah attacked. We could have finished the match much earlier if we converted our chances, but I am happy with the result.”
Just like the dark skies in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah coach Ong Kim Swee was gloomy.
“It’s a disappointing result. When Dominic had to be taken off, from there, our game changed. His replacement Hanafie (Tokyo) played well despite his first game this season.
“Overall, we didn’t finish off our chances. Jose Embalo was disappointing too. He has to adapt to our game play fast.”
With injuries to Dominic and Brazilian centreback Jackson Souza, Kim Swee hopes their replacements will step up to the plate in the Super League match against Petaling Jaya City at the Petaling Jaya Stadium tomorrow.
“We have other players that we need to give a chance. This will be a tough assignment for us but we have to be positive.”
