Pahang Rangers are clearly in a class of their own if they win the double championship this season after winning Johor Darul Ta’zim on a penalty shoot-out 2-1 after tied in extra-time 4-4 in the Malaysia Futsal Cup 2023 Final at the Malawati Stadium, Shah Alam.
After disappointing the same opponents in the final of the 2023 National Premier Futsal League (MPFL), they faced fierce opposition in the final when they tied 4-4 before achieving a 3-1 victory through penalty kicks.
In the final action, JDT took the lead as early as the second minute through Ekmal Shahrin before Pahang Rangers, who always pushed, scored the equalizer thanks to Ridzwan Bakri’s touch in the 16th minute.
JDT had the opportunity to get back in front but Abu Haniffa Hasan failed to convert a penalty and both teams tied 1-1 at the end of the first half.
JDT only needed three minutes to regain the lead after the break when Ekmal once again exploded to make it 2-1 before Azwann Ismail widened the gap for JDT through the third goal
Pahang Rangers continued to fight and managed to reduce the deficit through their own goal and the action became more dramatic after Ridzwan equalized with a minute and a half remaining.
JDT was in trouble when Ekmal was shown a red card at the end of the game but they were saved when Sergio Mushroom’s penalty kick when the action remained 20 seconds was saved by Aiman Fikry Ramli.
Mushroom made up for his disappointment when he scored Pahang Rangers’ fourth goal in extra time but JDT responded again with Awalludin Mat Nawi’s equalizer.
In the penalty shoot-out, the side of Pahang Rangers is more accurate and wins by a score of 2-1 and crowns the title.
Credit Photo : FAM
