Pahang Slog To Reach FA Cup Quarter-Finals

21 Mac, 2015

Pahang's Dickson Nwakaeme shoots at goal during the FA Cup third round match against
MISC-MIFA in Kuantan on Saturday. Pahang won 2-1. - BERNAMA

PETALING JAYA: Defending champions Pahang were made to slog by minnows Malaysia Indian Sports Council-Malaysia Indian Football Association (MISC-MIFA) before claiming their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a slim 2-1 victory.

The east coast giants were tipped to bury the third-tier FAM Cup side with plenty of goals, but it did not happen at all at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on Saturday night.

It was a frustrating opening 45 minutes for Pahang as they could not breach MISC-MIFA’s defence.

Luckily for the Malaysia Cup champions, R. Gopinathan managed to break the deadlock in the 49th minute. Towering Nigerian striker Dickson Nwakaeme was instrumental in creating the goal, weaving past three defenders before relaying the ball for Gopinathan to tap the ball past MISC-MIFA goalkeeper Mohd Izzuwan Shaari from close range.

Pahang’s second goal also came about in a similar fashion with Nwakaeme dribbling past three defenders and laying the ball for Mohd Fauzi Roslan to score in the 59th minute.

But MISC-MIFA surprised Pahang by snatching a consolation goal through S. Harivarman in the 90th minute. He caught Pahang goalkeeper Mohd Nasril Nourdin off guard with a close-range effort.

In stoppage time, Harivarman continued to torment Pahang. Luckily for the Elephants, Mohd Nasril saved them the blushes by denying Harivarman from close range.

Pahang will now face Premier League side Penang in the quarter-finals next month.

At the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, Lions XII cruised to a 4-0 win over Premier League side SPA Putrajaya to set up a last-eight clash with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) II.

Khairul Amri scored a brace in the 27th and 84th minutes. Madhu Mohana (16th) and Gabriel Quak (59th) were the other scorers.

Sumber - Eric Samuel & JOash Ee De Silva www.thestar.com.my