Kuala Lumpur continued their impressive start to the season, beating Melaka United 4-2 on penalties in the second round of the Superbest Power FA Cup at the Selayang Stadium, after the match ended 1-1.
The all-Premier League clash saw Kuala Lumpur fielding all four of their foreign players, while Melaka United left ex-Malmo midfielder Labinot Harbuzi out of the squad.
The Hawks looked the better side from the get go as they pushed the FAM League champions into their own half within the opening few minutes. That eventually contributed to the first goal of the game, when Anselmo da Silva, or better known as Casagrande, fired home on the 4th minute to make it 1-0. Melaka United goalkeeper Ahmad Solehin Mamat was at fault as he mishandled Helmi Remeli’s cross.
Melaka United got their organizational issues in order as they pushed further forward to combat Kuala Lumpur from attacking. New signing Iliji Spasojevic managed to hold off a number of defenders but he was not offered the much-needed support from his teammates.
Surendran Ravindran was a threat on the right flank as he constantly attacked the left-sided full back throughout the half. He almost brought the game level after his cross hit the inside of the crossbar, before See Kok Luen squandered a great chance after missing an open goal on the 28th minute.
Hazri Rozali nearly caught Badrulzaman Halim off guard with a free kick seven minutes later, as the ball seemed like it was dipping in the goal but the goalkeeper played safe by flicking it out for a corner.
Casagrande could have doubled his team’s lead but his header was cleared off the line five minutes from time.
After the break, the tempo slowed down as Kuala Lumpur resorted to possession play despite high pressure from Melaka United. The Mousedeers produced a couple of counter-attacks but were ineffective in finding the finishing touch to their movements.
Club captain Iliji Spasojevic came close twice to scoring on the 55th minute and 58th minute, but his shots were blocked by Leonardo Moreira de Carvalho, who had an outstanding game at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s defence.
Malinese international Modibo Konte saw his glorious attempt sail just above the bar ten minutes later. He came close again after a brilliant through ball from Mario Karlovic, but his shot was saved by Solehin Mamat.
The match looked like it was going to end in a third straight 1-0 win for Kuala Lumpur, but substitute Jasmir Mehat took the match to extra time after scoring past Badrulzaman Halim on the 88th minute. The winger made a great run after a through ball from Wan Amirul Afiq, which he chested it down and then blasted it to the roof the net.
Nothing changed in extra time and the match was to be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Kuala Lumpur won 4-2 on penalties after captain Ahmad Azlan Zainal scored the winning penalty.
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