Pahang left defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) with an uphill battle in the Malaysia FA Cup quarterfinals after inflicting a 3-1 defeat in the first leg at Darul Makmur Stadium on Saturday night.
Syamim Yahya opened the score in the 14th minute with a thumping header. The goal meant that the Southern Tigers were breached for the first time in the competition.
Johor Darul Ta’zim equalized eight minutes later when Fadhli Shas found the net after captain Safiq Rahim’s free kick.
Matheus Alves skilfully lobbed JDT’s goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi from Wan Azraie Wan Teh’s goal kick to restore Pahang’s lead.
Pahang sealed the fate of the match with a third goal in the 67th minute. Izham was caught in no man’s land as he came out to collect a Syamim Yahya cross, leaving Bright Dike to steer home into an empty net.
JDT failed to find another away goal and will have to be at their best if they are to advance to the semifinal. The quarterfinal second leg will be played on April 23.