Kuching City take advantage in the first match after beating Selangor FC scoring 2-1 in the Piala FA Malaysia 2024/25 Quarter-Final First leg at Stadium Negeri, Kuching.
Selangor, led by Singaporean captain and center back Safuwan Baharudin, fielded a strong lineup, with James Okwuosa anchoring the defense. The match began with the visiting Merah Kuning side pushing for an early lead. In the 10th minute, Cape Verde winger Alvin Fortes almost scored, but his shot went wide.
Kuching City, responded in the 27th minute when Zharmien Asyraf’s powerful strike was saved by Selangor goalkeeper Samuel Somerville, with Jordan Mintah’s follow-up also blocked.
Selangor took the lead in the 31st minute. A free kick from Yohandry Orozco created chaos in the Kuching City penalty area. Although Shahril Saari deflected Orozco’s initial ball, Fortes’s attempt hit the crossbar, allowing Ronnie Fernandez to capitalize and score.
Kuching City, managed by Aidil Sharin Sahak, equalized just before halftime when Luiz Fernando Welter’s free kick was deflected into the net by Okwuosa.
In the second half, both teams sought to break the deadlock. Kuching City, buoyed by home support, nearly scored again in the 57th minute, but Mintah’s efforts were thwarted by Somerville. However, in the 65th minute, Mintah took advantage of a mix-up between Somerville and Sharul Nazeem Zulpakar to score and give Kuching City the lead.
Selangor pressed for an equalizer, with Fortes coming close in the 74th minute, only to be denied by Shahril. Selangor manager Nidzam Jamil made several substitutions to regain momentum, but Fortes’s header in the 85th minute hit the crossbar.
Despite continued pressure from Selangor, Kuching City held on to their 2-1 lead, taking a crucial aggregate advantage into the second leg.
Credit Photo : Selangor FC
