JDT's Bergson Gustavo Silveia Da Silva (third from left) taking a shot against UM-Damansara in their FA Cup tie on Saturday (Aig 16). - Photo: Bernama
PETALING JAYA: A missed late penalty proved costly for Kuching City as Brunei held on for a dramatic 3-2 win in their FA Cup round-of-16 first leg match at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on Saturday (Aug 16).
The hosts made a dream start when Indonesian forward Ramadhan Sananta slid a defence-splitting pass for skipper Azwan Ali Rahman, who coolly slotted past goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli in the fifth minute.
That early strike jolted Kuching into life, and they gradually took control of the contest. Their pressure finally paid off in the 42nd minute when Timor Leste winger Joao Pedro burst down the right and squared for Cameroonian striker Ronald Ngah, who tapped in the equaliser.
Two minutes into the second half, Kuching went ahead through Nigerian defender James Okwuosa, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to score from close range.
But the advantage lasted less than a minute. Brunei hit back instantly as Portuguese winger Miguel Oliveira collected a long ball from Nazirrudin Haji Ismail, weaved past two defenders and slotted home to make it 2-2.
The hosts regained the lead in the 78th minute when substitute Australian striker Jordan Murray punished Okwuosa’s slip with a composed finish.
Kuching were handed a lifeline almost immediately when Fairuz Zakaria fouled Alif Hassan in the box. After a lengthy six-minute VAR review, a penalty was awarded — but substitute Gabriel Nistelrooy saw his effort brilliantly saved by Brunei’s North Macedonian goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski.
The crucial stop ensured Brunei take a slender one-goal advantage into the second leg.
Meanwhile, in Iskandar Puteri, defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) flexed their muscles with a 5-0 rout of UM-Damansara at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Argentinian wingback Jonathan Silva struck twice in the 44th and 54th minutes, before Spanish forward Teto Martin (78th), national striker Joao Figueiredo (90th), and Spanish winger Celso Bermejo (91st) completed the emphatic win.
