The Red Giants Advance To The Semi Finals

Selangor FC booked their place in the 2022 TM Malaysia Cup Semi-Finals after defeating Negeri Sembilan FC with a 4-2 aggregate result in the second quarter-final match at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Paroi, last Saturday night.

Armed with a two-goal advantage and playing as an away side, the Red Giants started fiercely by putting early pressure on the home team and that effort paid off when Sharul Nazeem's bursting run managed to split the opponent's defense before Herlison Caion fired a shot that was deflected past the Negeri Sembilan goalkeeper, Syihan Hazmi to put Selangor ahead in the 10th minute.

Stunned by the goal, the Hobin Jang Hobin squad pushed the Red Giants defense and they were awarded a penalty kick after Quentin Cheng was found to have fouled the opponent in the 24th minute. Their import player, Matheus Alves calmly converted the penalty kick to tie the current score at 1-1.

Selangor were once again in front at the end of the first half when Jordan-born player Yazan Al Arab scored with a wonderful volley with his weaker foot from outside the penalty box which Syihan failed to save allowing Selangor to regain the lead in the 45th minute.

Two minutes later, the home team did not give up hope and equalized again through team captain Zaquan Adha after a messy situation in the Selangor penalty box to make the score 2-2 in the first half.

Both teams continued to attack their respective opponents, but no additional goals were scored for the second half, thus making the final result 2-2 and the Red Giants advanced to the Semi-Finals with an aggregate of 4-2.

Here are some interesting facts to takeaway from last night's game:

50th appearance for Aliff Haiqal Lau
Midfielder, Aliff Haiqal made 50 appearances with the Red Giants since 2020

Tan Cheng Hoe's unbeaten streak continues after seven matches
The 2-2 draw last Saturday saw Tan Cheng Hoe's excellent record continue after seven matches with five wins and two draws previously.

The Red Giants' 35th appearance in the Malaysia Cup Semi-Finals
2022 is Selangor's 35th appearance in the semi-finals of the 96 editions of the Malaysia Cup so far (not all editions of the Malaysia Cup have a semi-final stage)

Waiting in the Semi-Finals is Terengganu FC who managed to defeat the defending champions, KL City FC 4-1. The other Semi-Final match will be between Johor Darul Ta'zim and Sabah FC.

The first Semi-Final match will take place on the 16th of November 2022 at the MBPJ Stadium, Kelana Jaya and the second Semi-Final match will take place at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, Gong Badak on 21 November.

Demi Kebanggaan!