Perak put one foot in the semi-final of the Superbest Power FA Cup after a convincing 1-0 win over Kuala Lumpur in the first leg match at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh earlier tonight.
The Seladangs head coach Shamsul Saad fielded a strong line-up with the intention of heading into the second leg in Kuala Lumpur next month with a comfortable lead. The former Perak player placed his confidence in the likes of Vokhid Shodiev, Muhammad Nurridzuan and Nazirul Naim. Kuala Lumpur head coach Ismail Zakaria started Fahrul Razi and Isma Alif in the first eleven, as the both of them used to play for The Bos Gaurus.
The first five minutes were slow as both teams were looking to get used to the rhythm.
However, Muhammad Nurridzuan’s corner on the 7th minute found team captain Thiago Junior, whose powerful header deflected off Helmi Remeli for an own goal. The Silver State Ultras went wild as the whole stadium erupted in a state of joy after taking the lead.
Kuala Lumpur saw their first shot on target saved by Hafizul Hakim after a powerful shot from outside the box by Modibo Konte on the 15th minute of the game.
Perak was more comfortable in holding possession of the ball afterwards as they took control of the game. Nazirul Naim, who received news to replace Fazly Mazlan in the national team, whipped in a dangerous cross but Kuala Lumpur goalkeeper Badrul Zaman punched it clear.
Amirul Azhan Aznan was constantly provided to be a nuisance to the away side by running up and down the Perak flank tonight. He dribbled a couple of players before shooting it wide 20 minutes into the game. The right-back was involved again as he provided a good cross for Vokhid Shodiev, who blasted it a few inches off target five minutes later.
Perak almost conceded an own goal after Helmi Remeli’s cross deflected off Nazirul Naim for a corner kick. They regained possession of the game when Liberian international Eric Weeks Lewis found Muhammad Nurridzuan, who fluffed his shot ten minutes before half-time.
Vokhid Shodiev was then jeered by the crowd after he missed three open attempts on goal in five minutes, right before Zamzaidi Katimi blew the whistle to indicate that the half was over.
The second half kicked off and Kuala Lumpur was on the front foot with a brilliant Modibo Konte free kick which was saved by Hafizul Hakim on 46th minute of the FA Cup tie.
Beto saw his ambitious shot hit the side netting of Badrul Zaman’s goal on the 55th minute, before Anselmo Arruda da Silva’s header went just wide at the other end of the field. The Kuala Lumpur forward had another point blank header which was superbly saved by Hafizul.
The tempo of the game slowed down with both teams having a few injury problems.
The referee blew the whistle and Perak head into the second leg with a 1-0 advantage.
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