KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Cup competition has never seen anything like this. It left everyone in disbelief after the final kick of a crazy game.
Some fans were even left wondering who won and how. That was how it unfolded in the titanic heart-stopping Malaysia Cup semi-final second leg match between Kedah and Pahang at Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan yesterday.
Both teams were tied at 5-5 after extra time, but it was Kedah who scraped through on the away goals rule.
To lose in such a manner was heartbreaking for Dollah Salleh’s men as for most of the evening, it would seem they were the ones getting through.
For Pahang had started the match with the psychological advantage of having scored three away goals against Kedah in the 3-3 first leg draw in Alor Star last week.
As Pahang led 3-2 by the 76th minute, it looked like they had the upper hand against Kedah, coached by Singaporean Aidil Sharin Sahak
Right from the first whistle, the two teams launched into attacking mode like two heavyweight boxers slugging it out, blow for blow.
Kedah drew first blood by punching in the opening goal through Spaniard
Fernando Rodriguez in the eighth minute.
But Pahang levelled through Nigerian striker Dickson Nwakaeme who scored from outside the box in the 33rd minute.
The Red Eagles seized the lead again through a goal by Jonathan Bauman in the 54th minute.
Namibian Lazarus Kaimbi then put Pahang on par in the 71st minute and struck again five minutes later to put the hosts ahead.
However, Kedah midfielder Baddrol Bakhtiar forced the match into extra time when he made it 3-3 by finding the back of the Pahang net in the 85th minute.
By then, tension was running high and no one, from the fans at the stadium to those watching TV from home, really had an idea who would prevail in the ding-dong battle. But there was no slowing down the combatants from both sides as more goals were to come.
Kedah started the extra time in the same manner they started the first half, by scoring in the 92nd minute through Brazilian Renan Alves for a 4-3 lead.
But Pahang put themselves on level again in the 114th minute through a penalty by defender Herold Goulon.
However, three minutes from the end, Kedah knew they were heading for the Nov 2 final againt JDT after Fernando Rodriguez gave the Northerners a 5-4 lead.
A final minute goal by Nwakaeme to put Pahang back on par at 5-5 was not enough to stop Kedah from winning on away goals.