MELAKA: Melaka United FC coach Zainal Abidin Hassan said that luck was not on their side when they were ousted by Kuala Lumpur City FC on penalties in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup last night.

Despite seeing their ambition snuffed out in the 100th edition of the prestigious tournament, the Sang Kancil coach praised his players for their fighting spirit and forcing the match into extra-time.

"For me, the most important thing is that the players showed great character in not giving up during extra- time. They were attacking and creating opportunities for goals but luck simply deserted us tonight (last night).

"We were not defeated but merely did not succeed in qualifying for the final due to the penalty shootout. Although disappointed, the players have given their best and can hold their head high," he told reporters after the match.

The second-leg semi-final at Hang Jebat Stadium was delayed by about an hour due to a power failure and the match only kicked off at 10.08 pm.

Playing before almost 18,000 spectators, Bojan Hodak's City Boys took the lead in the 9th minute through J. Partiban before Ahmad Syamim Yahya equalised for the home team in the 65th minute.

With the aggregate score at 2-2 at the end of regulation time, the two teams went into 30 minutes of extra-time but still failed to find the net, forcing the shootout, which KL City FC won 5-3.

Bojan said it was a tough match and he was glad that his charges prevailed to enter the final.

KL City FC will meet Johor Darul Ta'zim in the final at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Nov 30.

-- BERNAMA