Malaysia Cup: Sri Pahang Overcome Sabah 3-2 On Aggregate To Face JDT In Final

TEMERLOH, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- Four-time champions Sri Pahang FC ended a decade-long wait to book a ticket to the 2024/2025 Malaysia Cup final with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Sabah FC at the Temerloh Municipal Council Stadium here tonight.

Skipper Kpah Sherman's extra-time goal gave Sri Pahang FC a 2-1 victory in the second leg semi-final to advance to the final and face defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on April 26. 

The two teams were tied 1-1 in the first semi-final at the Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu on Jan 18. 

In today's action, Sri Pahang FC who kicked off the match with an aggressive approach from the start, missed the opportunity to take the lead as early as the 15th minute when Sherman's dangerous attempt with a powerful kick from outside the penalty box, slightly exceeded the Sabah goal.

The home team finally broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, when Sabah defender, Park Tae Su headed Muhammad Baqiuddin Shamsuddin's pass into his own goal.

Undaunted by the setback, Sabah quickly equalized through S. Kumaahran's goal in the 77th minute to drag the match into extra time with the aggregate tied at 2-2 until the final whistle. 

However, Sherman, the Liberian import emerged as the hero for Sri Pahang FC when he managed to strike the winning goal after beating Damien Khai Lim in the Sabah goal in the 106th minute.

Yesterday, JDT confirmed their place in the Malaysia Cup final for the fifth time in a row after beating Terengganu FC 6-1 on aggregate.

The last time Sri Pahang FC played in the Malaysia Cup final was in 2014, when they emerged champions by beating JDT 5-3 on penalties after the two teams were tied 2-2. 

Pahang had also lifted the Malaysia Cup in 1983, 1992 and 2013, while Sabah entered the final in 2003.

-- BERNAMA