Away...

...Advantage

It was a night of contrasting fortunes for two Terengganu representatives in the first leg of 2011 Malaysia Cup semi-finals. While Terengganu upset the more favoured 32 time winners Selangor at the Shah Alam Stadium, PBDKT T-Team suffered a 4-2 setback at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium, Kuala Terengganu.

Abdul Manaf Mamat put the 2011 FA Cup winners ahead inside two minutes after the match started, with a cheeky stab with his heel after the initial cross by Ashaari Shamsuddin seemed destined to go to waste. It certainly created a deathly silence among the red and yellow cladded Selangor fans while those in black and white rejoiced.

The goal was a piece of flair that should propel Manaf's name into the limelight again. Not stopping there, the striker struck the second for The Turtles just after the half hour mark, this time with a long range low shot that beat Selangor custodian, Jeevanathan all the way.

The visitors were in dreamland but they managed to keep their heads and ensured the score stayed that way until the final whistle was blown by referee, Shokri Nor. It was a big advantage for Irfan Bakti's boys who would fancy their chance in Kuala Terengganu for the second leg to advance to their second final this season.

However in Kuala Terengganu, T-Team found themselves a goal down early in the match against Negeri Sembilan when the visitors broke through on their right through S. Kunanlan. The home defence managed to clear it but it went straight to an unmarked Shahruain Abu Samah whose shot went past goalkeeper, Zairi Hafiezi.

Indra Putra Mahayuddin levelled the score a short while later with a fine header after a good cross from Mohamad Fitri Omar. But a high ball into T-Team's penalty box caused panic and their former player, Hairuddin Omar took full advantage to head Negeri Sembilan in front again.

Zairi lack of command in his area and together with his nervy display would cause his team dear. Mohamad Norfarham Muhammad equalised after a persistent display opened up the Negeri Sembilan defence for him to fire home past Farizal Marlias.

But another ball into the box caused another panic situation and in the end Hairuddin's header found the top corner of Zairi's goal to ignite another celebration among the travelling supporters. The score remained for the remainder of the half.

The home supporters were hoping for another fightback by T-Team in the second half. They pressed on early but a piece of brilliance by Kunanlan saw his shot curled past Zairi who could only watch as his goal was breached for the fourth time last night.

It was the last straw for T-Team Head Coach, Yunus Alif who immediately replaced Zairi with Mohamad Jibrail. The loanee from Pos Malaysia FC put on a good display to keep Negeri Sembilan attacks at bay but unfortunately his team-mates could not find their way again past his opposite number, Farizal.

It would be a huge task for T-Team to overturn a two goal deficit and with the disadvantage on away goals rule it would be a big miracle for the club team to progress to their first ever Malaysia Cup final.

...