PETALING JAYA: Moneybags Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) sneaked into the second round of the FA Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over gutsy Perak at the Larkin Stadium last night.

The star-studded cast under former Singapore international Fandi Ahmad had to wait until the hour mark before national centreback Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak netted the all- important winner from a corner-kick.

From a floater, Aidil rose above all the Perak defenders to send in a stinging header past the goalkeeper.

There was action at both ends but JDT had more firepower with Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Mohd Safee Salee leading the assault upfront but Perak did well to pack their defence to keep the score down. Perak, also fought hard upfront, but lacked the firepower to trouble the Johor DT defence who just preferred to fend them off and hang to the victory.

It was the second time JDT had beaten Perak after edging them 1-0 in a Super League match on Jan 11.

JDT’s opponents in the second round are Kedah, and they will meet in Alor Setar on Feb 26.

At the Darulaman Stadium, Kedah made short work of NS Betaria before pulling off a 3-0 win.

The home side were hardly troubled as Kedah pushed back their opponents from the word go.

Mohd Khyril Muhymeen scored a brace in the 42nd and 49th minutes before former international Akmal Rizal Rakhli added a third in the 79th minute.

In Kuching, Sarawak defeated Malacca 3-0 to reach the second round.

The East Malaysian side scored through Shahrol Saperi (66th) and Bobby Gonzales (80th, 88th).

Five-time champions Selangor came back from the dead to edge Armed Forces 3-2 on penalty kicks at the Shah Alam Stadium.

Both teams were tied 2-2 after extra-time.

The Red Giants pulled off a dramatic fightback from two goals down against the Gladiators, who struck via Marlon Alex James and Mohd Affize Faisal in the eighth and 28th minutes respectively.

Afiq Azmi  came to Selangor’s rescue by bagging a brace in the 57th and 58th minutes to drag the game into extra-time.

 

 

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