JDT edge Kedah 2-1 with late winner in FA Cup semi-final first leg

PETALING JAYA: A last-minute goal gave Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) the edge to win 2-1 against Kedah in the first leg of the FA Cup semi-final at the Darul Aman Stadium on Friday (July 19).

The Southern Tigers were first to bite in the 24th minute with a goal from Oscar Arribas, who found the back of the net from an assist by Heberty Fernandes.

JDT had the opportunity to extend their lead before half-time through Bergson da Silva, who beat Kedah goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz Mat Rowi, but the video assistant referee (VAR) deemed the Brazilian offside, disallowing the goal.

The Canaries weren’t going down without a fight and managed to equalise late in regulation time with Habib Haroon making it 1-1 in the 87th minute.

With nine minutes of added time, JDT kept the pressure on and it paid off as Romel Morales made it two for the visitors with a minute left on the clock.

Kedah will need to mount a comeback when they meet JDT again for the second leg fixture on August 4 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri.