FA CUP: ZAHRUL NIZWAN SEALS VICTORY IN EXTRA TIME AS KUCHING CITY ADVANCE TO QUATER-FINALS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- Substitute Zahrul Nizwan Joe Kifli Zulkeflee's last-gasp goal in extra time propelled Kuching City FC to the quarter-finals, eliminating last season's runners-up Kuala Lumpur City (KL City) FC with a 3-2 victory tonight.

Just as the match seemed headed for a penalty shootout, Zahrul Nizwan capitalised on a counterattack from the right flank orchestrated by Alauddin Farid Atan, slotting in the winning goal in the 123rd minute.

Earlier, the action at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras saw home team striker Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli open the scoring with a 14th-minute tap-in from a Sean Gan Giannelli cross from the left. The equaliser came from import player Filemon Anyie Standly's curling shot in the 26th minute.

Captain Paulo Josue beat the offside trap to put KL City back in front with a goal in the 39th minute, but forward Nur Shamie Iszuan Amin's strike in the 68th minute forced the match into extra time, ultimately favouring Kuching City.

Aidil Sharin Sahak's men will face the winner of the match between five-time champions Selangor FC and two-time champions Negeri Sembilan FC, scheduled to take place at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Sri Pahang FC, playing at the Majlis Perbandaran Temerloh Stadium, failed to capitalise on their home advantage and were defeated 3-4 in a penalty shootout by Penang FC.

During the 90 minutes of play, winger Nabil Ahmad Latpi scored in the 41st minute to put the visitors ahead, but Ukrainian striker Mykola Ahapov equalised in the 79th minute, pushing the match into extra time.

Penang FC will next face their neighbours, Kedah Darul Aman FC, who thrashed Bukit Tambun FC 5-0 at the Darul Aman Stadium in Alor Setar.

Milos Gardic opened the scoring for the Canaries in the 14th minute, followed by Mohamad Amirul Hisham Awang Kechik in the 20th minute. Assifuah then stole the show with a hat-trick, scoring in the 38th, 68th, and 78th minutes.

Meanwhile, two-time champions Terengganu FC came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Perak FC at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Nerus.

The visitors stunned the home team with an early goal from Luiz Henrique in the 4th minute, but winger Muhammad Safawi Rasid equalised with a penalty in the 35th minute, and midfielder Marin Pilj's strike in the 42nd minute delighted over 20,000 home supporters, confirming their place in the quarter-finals.

The Turtles will meet the winner of the match between Sabah FC and Kuala Lumpur Rovers FC, which will take place at the Likas Stadium tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA