HARD TACKLE: Sarawak’s Ivan Babic is challenged by Kelantan’s Obinna Nwaneri during their FA Cup quarter-final second leg match at the State Stadium last night. — Photo by Chimon Upon
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Photo by Roystein E.
KUCHING: Sarawak have three goals disallowed as 10-men Kelantan advanced to the semi-final of the FA Cup after defeating Robert Alberts’ squad 2-0 in their second leg quarterfinal match last night.
Playing to a sold-out and packed State Stadium, Kelantan entered the last four of the tournament with a 4-1 aggregate.
Three minutes into the game, a melee in front of the Kelantan goalmouth almost gave Sarawak a gift goal. In an eighth minute free kick for Sarawak just outside the Kelantan six yard box, Guy Bwele struck but the ball landed safely in the hands of goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Indra Putra Mahayuddin gave Kelantan the lead in the 18th minute after beating an offside trap. The home side launched several attacks after the goal but was thwarted by Kelantan’s solid defence.
The visitors increased the lead to 2-0 in the 30th minute. Mohammad Nor Farhan tapped in the ball from his team mate after a mistake by the Sarawak defence.
Just before half-time Sarawak had a goal disallowed after the referee blew the whistle for an infringement by a Sarawak player in front of the goal.
Play in the second half was interrupted temporarily in the 57th minute when Kelantan players apparently complained to the referee over objects being thrown by supporters into the field.
Sarawak had another goal disallowed in the 63rd minute due to an offside.
Bobby Gonzales was substituted by Shahrul Abdul Malek in the 65th minute. The 74th minute saw Kelantan’s Mohd Shakir Shaari ejected for a two footed tackle on Joseph Kalang Tie.
Sarawak’s Ahmad Aminuddin came in for Mohd Fareez Tukijo in the 76th minute.
Then Junior Eldstal made his debut for the Crocs in the 89th minute in place of Zamri Morshidi.
But it was all in vain.