Kelantan City secured a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic victory over Negri Sembilan in the second leg of the last 16 tie on Tuesday evening at Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi. The Division Two side overcame a spirited challenge from their Super League opponents to advance 4-3 on aggregate.
Kelantan entered the match with a two-goal advantage from the first leg, held last Wednesday in Kota Baru. Negri Sembilan started strongly and quickly reduced the deficit when forward Yusuke Minagawa headed in the opening goal in the fourth minute. The home team then leveled the aggregate score in the 34th minute after Kelantan goalkeeper Mohd Fikri Che Soh fouled winger Akhyar Rashid in the penalty area. Rashid, 27, converted the penalty calmly, sending the ball to the right of the net.
Despite Negri's impressive first half, Kelantan responded resolutely after the break. Within two minutes of the second half, they restored their aggregate lead through a 52nd-minute header from Dandy Arbdallah. Shortly after, striker Mohd Asraff Afifuddin Yasin scored a remarkable goal from just beyond the halfway line. Observing that Negri's captain, Azri Ghani, was off his line, Asraff launched a precise shot that found the back of the net in the 54th minute.
Negri Sembilan, known as the Deer, refused to yield and pulled another goal back in the 90th minute through a header by Korean defender Park Yi-young. In the match’s final moments, Negri pushed forward aggressively, with most of their players, including Azri, positioned in Kelantan’s penalty area, but they were unable to find the equalizer needed to force extra time or overturn the aggregate result.
The win marks Kelantan City’s first appearance in the FA Cup knockout stages, highlighting a significant achievement for the semi-professional outfit. Negri’s spirited performance, despite the elimination, showcased their resilience in front of a home crowd.
Other FA Cup fixtures scheduled for today include Penang hosting Melaka at City Stadium in Georgetown, Kuala Lumpur facing Perak at the Cheras Football Stadium, and Selangor playing Sabah at Petaling Jaya Stadium. Additionally, the first leg of the last 16 match between Terengganu and Brunei will take place later this evening at Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak.