KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions, Perak have finally booked a berth to quarter-finals of Malaysia Cup despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Sabah at Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu Wednesday night.
In the Group C match, the Bos Gaurus who are the eight-time champions, opened the score in the 25th minute by Brazilian import, Ronaldo Henrique, but the hosts equalised via a Maxsius Musa header in the 48th minute from a free kick by Mohd Azzizan Nordin.
Another game of the group, saw four-time champions Pahang clinching their quarter-final slot after a 2-0 beating of Penang at City Stadium.
The Elephants netted via French import, Herold Mark Goulon in the 52nd minute before A. Segar scored an own goal five minutes later to assist Pahang emerge as group champions with 15 points, followed by Perak (9), Penang (5) and Sabah (4).
Meanwhile, the most successful team in Malaysia Cup series, Selangor beat Felda United 2-0 in the last Group D match at Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka to enter the quarter-finals.
The 33-time champions, opened the score via their Nigerian player, Ifedayo Olusegun in the 16th minute before Mohd Khyril Mhymeen Zambri doubled the score for the Red Giants in the 72nd minute.
The match was marred by a red card incident when the referee ordered Thiago Junio out of the pitch after receiving the second yellow card in the 87th minute.
The result also assisted Melaka who held Police 2-2 at Hang Jebat Stadium to advance to the last eight.
Melaka went ahead in the ninth minute via their Serbian players Luka Milunovic while The Cops equalised one minute later via Muhammad Fakrul Aiman Sidid.
However, Police struck back to lead in the 31st minute through Uche Agba from Nigeria before Melaka found the net via former national captain Safiq Rahim in the 54th minute through a penalty to confirm their berth in the quarter-finals.
Selangor emerged as group champions with 10 points followed by Melaka (8), Felda United (7) and Police (6).
The quarter-final fixtures are Pahang vs Melaka, Selangor vs Perak, Terengganu FC vs Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), while the opponents for Kedah will be decided in a Group B match between Petaling Jaya City FC and PKNP FC on Friday. – Bernama
