Johor Darul Ta’Zim advanced to the semi-final after beating Melaka United with a score of 2-1 in the Piala FA Malaysia 2022 Quarter-finals at Hang Jebat Stadium, Melaka.
Since the beginning of the game JDT continued to hone the home side to ensure they were not surprised by the hosts.
The visitors’ high determination allowed them to successfully explode the first goal as early as the fourth minute through Hazwan Bakri while simultaneously surprising the hosts who were just trying to organize a move to enter the visitors’ camp.
The net was the result of Leandro Velazquez’s cross from the left side of the MU goal which Hazwan headed right at once failed to be saved by goalkeeper Tian Keat See.
The visitors had several chances to add goals but the attempts of Arif Aiman and Fernando Forestieri in the 10th minute and m-12 failed to reach the target.
The hosts who were limp by the visitors at the start of the game were only able to create an attempt over Sony Norde in the 27th but their spread was high over the goal barrier.
The second half saw more exciting performances following the South Tigers’ dangerous attempt while MU also tried aggressively to compete with the visitors to repeat their brilliance in tying JDT 1-1 in the Super League stage at the same stadium before this.
Regardless, early attempts through Leandro (m-49), Forestieri (m-51), and Hazwan four minutes later failed to make the second net while substitute Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria managed to make an attempt right in m-53 and Norde (m-79 ) for Melaka but was saved by national goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.
When JDT was seen to have the advantage, the hosts suddenly managed to score an equaliser through Norde’s penalty in the 84th minute to tie the opposition.
The penalty net was scored after Norde was brought down by Leandro which made the game more interesting, four minutes after that the Haitian striker came close to putting his team in front but his effort was saved by Farizal.
However, the hosts’ hopes of dragging the action into extra time faded when Bergson’s header after receiving Nazmi Faiz’s delivery during an injury ensured JDT progressed to the semi-finals and will face Penang FC.
Credit Photo : JST
