EXPECT exciting encounters in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup next week.
Kedah and Selangor, who were finallists in the 2015 and 2015 editions, will meet each other in the last eight this time with the winner playing either newcomers Perak SEDC or Felda United in the semi-finals.
Melaka ended their long wait by qualifying for the quarter-finals for the first time in 10 years, but they face a tough two-leg challenge against the star-studded Darul Ta’zim. The winner of the match will play Perak or Pahang in the semi-finals.
The quarter-finalists were decided after Saturday’s final group matches.
Pahang finished second in Group A behind Perak SEDC, who drew 0-0 with Negri Sembilan in Paroi, when they edged T-Team 3-2 in Kuantan.
Pahang netted through striker Mattheus Alves (40th), Nor Azam Abdul Azih (54th) and Yamil Romero (85th), while Syed Sobri Syed Mohamed (52nd) and Abdoulaye Maiga (57th) responded for T-Team.
Perak overcame Felda United 2-1 in Ipoh to top Group B over B. Sathianathan’s side, who took second spot.
Nizad Ayub (26th) and Shahrul Saad (80th) scored for Perak while Danial Amier Norhisham (52nd) responded for Felda.
In another match, Premier League side Kuala Lumpur defeated PKNS 2-0 at Hang Jebat Stadium courtesy of Guilherme De Paula’s brace in the 47th and 83rd minutes to finish third in the group with five points.
Kedah topped Group C with a simple 2-0 victory over Kelantan at Darulaman Stadium.
Brazilian Sandro Mendonca scored his 13th goal of the season in the 24th minute before Dane Ken Ilso added a second in the 77th minute.
In another match, Melaka surprisingly lost 5-3 to University Technology Malaysia (UiTM) in Shah Alam, but they still managed to sneak into the quarter-finals following Kelantan’s failure to beat Kedah.
Nigerian Akanni Wasiu was UiTM’s toast with a hat-trick in the 12th, 37th and 90th minutes with South Korean Do Dong Hyun adding a double in the 29th and 72nd minutes.
Melaka responded through Jeon Woo Young (32nd), Azinee Taib (55th) and Fauzi Roslan (86th).
Darul Ta’zim defeated Selangor 3-1 for their first win of the season over the 33-time champions at Larkin Stadium to top Group D.
Mohammed Ghaddar scored a double in the 16th and 75th minute, while the other goal was netted by Gary Steven Robbat (29th). Brazilian Rufino Segovia responded for Selangor in the 27th minute.
In another group match, Terengganu were held 3-3 by Sarawak at Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium.
Kipre Tchetche (28th and 42nd) and Issey Nakajima-Farran (26th) netted for Terengganu, while Sarawak responded through Mateo Roskam (36th), Abdul Rahim Abdul Razak (61st) and Milos Raickovich (84th).