PETALING JAYA: A1 Semi-Pro League side Kelantan City stormed into the FA Cup quarter-finals after knocking out Super League veterans Negri Sembilan on Tuesday (Sept 8).
The division two side entered Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi with a two-goal advantage from the round of 16, first leg in Kota Baru last Wednesday.
However, the home side were fired up to make amends and managed to win the match 3-2, but ultimately lost 3-4 on aggregate.
Negri took the lead with a headed effort from forward Yusuke Minagawa in the fourth minute, and then levelled the aggregate score in the 34th minute after Kelantan goalkeeper Mohd Fikri Che Soh brought winger Akhyar Rashid down in the penalty area.
The 27-year-old Akhyar made no mistake from the spot, placing his penalty to the right of the goal.
Despite appearing to have ended Kelantan’s dream run at halftime, the away side made a remarkable comeback after the break.
Their two-goal aggregate advantage was restored within two minutes, beginning with a 52nd-minute header from Dandy Arbdallah and a wonder goal from striker Mohd Asraff Aliffuddin Yasin in the 54th minute.
Asraff noticed Negri skipper Azri Ghani off his line and took the opportunity with a shot from just past the halfway line.
However, the Deer refused to concede defeat, scoring a third goal of the evening in the 90th minute with another headed effort, this time from Korean defender Park Yi-young.
The final play of the match saw every home player, including Azri, positioned in the Kelantan box, but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
The victory marks Kelantan City FC’s first appearance in the knockout stages of the Cup.
