Aerial attack: Terengganu’s Engku Mohd Nur Shakir Engku Yacob (right) in action against an Imigration player. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Immigration stunned fellow Super League outfit Terengganu with a dramatic 2-1 win in their FA Cup round of 16, first-leg clash at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang yesterday.
French striker Yan Mabella gave the visitors the lead in the 50th minute, but Immigration showed grit and character to fight back.
Brazilian winger Rafael Holstein equalised just four minutes later before his compatriot, striker Joao Pedro, sent the home fans into raptures with the winner in the dying minutes.
Head coach Yusri Che Lah praised his men for their resilience, especially after a shaky first half.
“Alhamdulillah, this victory is a blessing. It gives confidence to the players, especially since this is our first season competing at this level. The FA Cup is very different from the league, and today the boys showed great spirit,” said Yusri.
However, Yusri admitted he is still expecting more from his foreign signings.
“They have only been here for a short time, just about two weeks, and are still adjusting. I’m not dissatisfied with them, but I want them to take this as a lesson and improve their fitness and rhythm.
“Once they are fully settled, they will give us a lot more,” he added.
Despite the win, Yusri knows the job is far from over as Immigration will face Terengganu in the return leg on Sept 13 in Gong Badak.
Meanwhile, in Paroi, Sabah all but booked their quarter-final spot after demolishing Bunga Raya 6-0 at the Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Darren Lok stole the show with a hattrick (10th, 47th, 53rd minutes, the last from the penalty spot), while Fergus Tierney (18th), Jafri Firdaus Chew (45+1, penalty), and Bosnian forward Ajdin Mujagic (81st) completed the rout.
