KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur have won the AFC Cup Asean Zone final.
KL, coached by Bojan Hodak, beat Indonesian club PSM Makassar 5-2 at the Cheras Football Stadium on Wednesday (Aug 24).
This means Kuala Lumpur will be playing in the Inter-Zone semi-final, taking on India’s ATK Mohun Bagan on Sept 7.
The first 15 minutes started cagey for both sides, but the City Boys seized possession and control of the game from the 15th minute onwards.
In the 20th minute, midfielder Zhafri Yahya made a gallant run on the right, finding Colombian playmaker Romel Morales with a cross, but Morales’ shot was blocked by Makassar’s defence.
Morales finally got his goal in the 32nd minute when he finished off a pass from Zhafri with a superb finish.
Makassar’s first chance came in the 43rd minute when Kenzo Nambu took a shot from 25 metres, but his shot went wide.
Three minutes later, Kuala Lumpur unleashed a superb counterattack, in which Paulo Josue found Morales on the right, and Morales unleashed a pinpoint pass from the flank and Jordan Mintah was there to finish it.
In the 50th minute, Zhafri was fouled in the penalty box, giving the home side a penalty. Josue made sure he buried from the spot to give Kuala Lumpur a 3-0 lead.
Makassar reduced the deficit in the 58th minute when Yakob Sayuri cut inside from the right and unleashed an unstoppable left footed shot, which Kuala Lumpur’s goalkeeper Azri Ghani couldn't save.
In the 62nd minute, Makassar were making a comeback with a second goal, when defender Akbar Tanjung headed a corner.
But Kuala Lumpur made sure they got the win when Josue got his second in the 84th minute and substitute Hadin Azman buried a penalty in the 92nd minute to ensure Kuala Lumpur continue their journey in the continental competition.
