Reason to celebrate: Selangor players break out into a dance routine after their penalty shootout win over Kuching City in the FA Cup on Saturday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Selangor fans at the Petaling Jaya Stadium were subjected to a rollercoaster of emotions but they went home with big smiles on their faces after the Red Giants survived a heart-stopping thriller against Kuching City to reach the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
The home team were down to nine men but still managed to edge the Cats 3-2 for a 4-4 draw on aggregate in their second-leg quarter-final match.
Selangor went on to win the penalty shootout 5-3, and their coach Nidzam Jamil had only one world to describe the game – ‘’crazy’’.
“It was crazy! Imagine 120 minutes of football filled with goals, cards and then a tense shootout. I’m so relieved we pulled through and I want to dedicate this win to the fans,” he said.
“The boys put so much effort into this game, even more so when we were down to nine men. It was pure commitment and unity that got us through. I kept telling the boys that it’s not over till it’s over even though the odds were heavily against us.’’
Kuching jolted Selangor by taking the lead through winger Nur Shamie Izsuan in the 14th minute but the hosts fought back with two goals via Ahmad Zikri Khalili and Alvin Fortes in the 26th and 37th minutes.
Selangor’s key playmaker Yohandry Orozco was then sent off for elbowing a Kuching player during a tussle.
Despite being a man down, Selangor struck again through Fortes in injury time but Kuching soon got their second goal through Alif Hassan to draw level on aggregate.
Selangor received their second red card in the 103rd minute when Reziq Bani Hani was sent off for a questionable challenge.
Nidzam’s depleted side then held on heroically to force the game to a shootout.
Selangor converted all five of their spot-kicks through Safuwan Baharudin, Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau, Syahir Bashah, Aliff Izwan Yuslan and Harith Haiqal Adam Fakar.
Nidzam praised his young charges for assuming the big responsibility of taking the penalties.
“Safuwan was ready to take the first penalty but for the rest, I had to ask them if they were confident enough.
“Players like Syahir, Aliff, Harith and Aliff are still boys but they showed courage and maturity to step up to take the penalties, and I’m so proud of them.’’
Selangor will take on Terengganu in a two-legged semi-final, with the first at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on July 20 and second at the Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak on Aug 3.
