Pahang knock down Red Giants for FA Cup title
Selangor’s Kannan Kalaselvan (right) is challenged for the ball by Pahang’s Mohamadou Sumareh. Pic by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM
Pahang’s Patrick Cruz celebrates scoring the second goal against Selangor. Pic by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM
Pahang players celebrate a goal against Selangor. Pic by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM
Pahang’s Nor Azam Azih (right) celebrate scoring the first goal. Pic by ASWADI ALIAS
Pahang players celebrate with the FA Cup trophy after defeating Selangor at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. Pic by HAFIZ SOHAIMI
By Ooi Kin Fai - July 7, 2018 @ 11:44pm
KUALA LUMPUR: Pahang overcame the heartbreak of last year's final when they outplayed Selangor 2-0 tonight for their third FA Cup title.
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium hosted its first domestic final since the 2015 FA Cup final but only approximately 44,000 fans turned up at the 87,000 capacity stadium.
Pahang dominated right from kickoff with Nor Azam Azih and Safuwan Baharudin controlling the midfield while Mohamadou Sumareh was a constant threat down the right wing.
It didn't take long for The Elephants to take the lead as Sumareh's cross in the 22nd minute was not dealt with by D. Kurang, leaving Nor Azam to fire in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the penalty box.
Buoyed by the goal, Pahang continued to have the upper hand over the Red Giants with both Safuwan and Muslim Ahmad having chances to score but Selangor's Khairulazhan Khalid was up to the task.
The situation did not improve for Selangor even after the half time break. K. Nazliazmi Nasir introduced Evan Dimas into the game hoping to spruce up his midfield but it was to no avail.
Patrick Cruz had two clear chances early in the second half but failed to connect properly with the ball on both occasions.
However the Brazilian was not to be denied a third time as he converted 62nd minute penalty kick after Amamchi Iwuji was brought down in the box.
Desperate to get back into the game, Nazliazmi took off the anonymous Syahmi Safari for the more experienced head of Azamuddin Akil with less than 20 minutes left to go.
But there was to be no coming back for Selangor as they missed the chance to secure a ticket to the 2019 AFC Champions League with this defeat.
