Football
Jason Dasey 8y

Safuwan Baharudin treasures goal at Kelantan in Malaysia Cup

Singapore international Safuwan Baharuddin can tick another career milestone off his list after his first ever goal in Kota Bharu powered nine-man PDRM FA to an unlikely 2-1 away victory over Kelantan in the Malaysia Cup on Sunday night.

Safuwan struck in the fourth minute to give the Cops the perfect start in their quarterfinal first leg tie. Ex-Selangor striker Guilherme added a second in the 22nd minute after Indra Putra Mahayuddin had equalised for Kelantan.

But second-half red cards to fullback K. Reuben and Guilherme made it a nervous finish for the unfancied visitors.

"Throughout my whole Malaysia career, this is my first time scoring against Kelantan in Kota Bharu," Safuwan told ESPN FC.  "And getting three points there is also the first time for me. 

"I think credit goes to the team. Despite nine men, they gave everything they had. Kelantan are always a difficult opponent, especially when it comes to playing in Kota Bharu,"

Safuwan, playing as a box-to-box midfielder, made one of his trademark runs to penetrate into the Kelantan box, and ease the early nerves of PDRM.

"It was a through ball from Andrezinho and I ran past [Kelantan goalkeeper] Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, and placed it into the net with my left foot," he said.  

The two sides will meet again in the Malaysia Cup quarterfinal second leg on Sept. 18 at PDRM's home ground in Melaka, with a potential semifinal against 2015 finalists, Kedah.

He added: "Credit goes to the PDRM players. We were shocked to get this result because we haven't been consistent in our performances this season. But this is a good result to take back for the return leg in Melaka."

Safuwan was also on the winning side against Kelantan as part of LionsXII when they defeated the Red Warriors 3-1 in the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in May 2015.

The versatile midfielder, who spent four months on-loan with A-League side Melbourne City last year, will now meet up with his international teammates as Singapore travel to Bahrain for a friendly on Sept. 1.

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