Aiman Nazirmuddin
Football Tribe Malaysia
Perak managed to eliminate Pahang in a surprise turnaround in the FA Cup semi-final, overturning a two-goal deficit on aggregate with an impressive 3-0 win at the Perak Stadium.
The victory allowed The Bos Gaurus to qualify for the final with a 4-3 aggregate victory, despite losing 1-3 at the Darul Makmur Stadium, Pahang, in the first leg last week.
Playing in front of his their supporters, Mehmet Durakovic’s squad began to rush into the visitors’ fort as soon as the game started.
Perak opened the scoring with a header from Brendan Gan in the 35th minute to beat Helmi Eliza Elias with Mohd Firdaus Saiyadi’s corner.
K Partiban managed to score a second goal shortly before half time after receiving the ball from Raianderson Da Costa Morais. His goal leveled the scoring to 3-3 on aggregate, with Perak given the advantage on away goals.
Just when Pahang thought they would have the chance to regroup during the half-time break, the situation got even worse for them. The Bos Gaurus managed to get the third goal in the 43rd minute as Pahang defender Faisal Rosli turned the ball into his own net.
Pahang coach Dollah Salleh and his side needed to turn the game around during half-time in order to secure Tok Gajah’s progression to the final. However, the second half remained goalless, and the 3-0 scoreline stayed up to the end of the match, confirming Perak’s ticket to the final with a 4-3 aggregate win.
Perak will wait for the winner between FELDA United FC or Kedah to see who they will face in the showpiece event on the 27th of July.