FA Cup: Pahang advance to third round

Defending champions Pahang booked their slot in the third round of the FA Cup competition after defeating Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) 4-2 in a penalty shootout following the match ending in a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation play at the Darul Makmur Stadium here Monday.

Pahang wasted no time from the start to try and get an early goal but their forays were easily absorbed by the JDT defence.

However, in the 20th minute, Pahang were able the crack JDT's defence when their Argentinian import Matias Conti nodded home a neat cross supplied by Dickson Nwakaeme past JDT keeper Mohd Farizal Marlias into the net.

JDT came close to levelling the score in the 38th minute but Mohamad Fadli Mohd Shas's header went wide. In the second half, The Elephants further stepped on the pedal and nearly scored the second in the 49th minute but Mohd Fauzi Rozlan's pile-driver from inisde the box was saved by Mohd Farizal.

The fighting spirit of the JDT players was clearly resilient and they rebounded with the equaliser in the 80th minute via a Hariss Harun shot which resulted from a Mohd Nazrin Mohd Nawi pass from a corner kick.

Startled by the goal, Pahang endeavored to rise up again and Nwakaeme came close to netting the winner fiver minutes from time but his kick from inside the penalty box rolled past the goal post.

The hectic pace of the match was dragged into a penalty shootout after 30 minutes of extra time failed to bear fruit for either side.

Pahang emerged the winners after slotting in four penalty kicks via Matias Ruben Conti, Damion Delano Stewart, Zeshan Rehman and Mohd Razman Roslan.

JDT only managed to score two penalties, by Mohd Safee Mohd Sali and Hariss Harun.