PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM)-Damansara may have exited the FA Cup, but they did so with heads held high after pushing defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) all the way in a thrilling round-of-16 second-leg clash.
Despite the two goal deficit, the A1 Semi-Pro League outfit showed remarkable grit and character, forcing JDT to work hard for a 5-3 win at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Thursday (Oct 2).
Despite the victory, the Southern Tigers advanced to the quarter-finals with a commanding 10-3 aggregate score after their emphatic 5-0 triumph in the first leg.
JDT looked set for another routine win when striker Romel Morales opened the scoring in the third minute, before Argentine winger Manuel Hidalgo doubled the lead just five minutes later.
Veteran Brazilian forward Heberty Fernandes added a third in the 14th minute to give the hosts a comfortable cushion before the break.
However, UM-Damansara refused to roll over. The underdogs stunned the home crowd after the interval with two quick goals - Nigerian striker Thankgod Michael netted in the 63rd minute, followed by winger Anuar Ceesay just four minutes later to make it 3-2.
Morales restored JDT’s two-goal lead in the 72nd minute with his second of the night, but the spirited visitors struck back almost immediately, with Ceesay grabbing his second to bring the score to 4-3.
JDT were forced to regroup as UM-Damansara stayed resolute, with goalkeeper Haziq Fitri Nek Lah pulling off several fine saves to deny the home side more goals.
Haziq even pulled off a penalty save in the 93rd minute, denying Morales from the spot.
But eventually Morales got his hat-trick when he scored a minute later, finishing off a layup from Brazilian striker Jairo Da Silva.
The gallant UM-Damansara side ultimately fell short, but their courageous performance won plenty of admirers.
JDT will next face Penang in the quarter-finals, with the first leg scheduled for Oct 28 in Iskandar Puteri.
