Football
Jason Dasey 8y

Singapore's Safuwan Bahrudin and PDRM into Malaysia Cup semifinals

Singapore's involvement in this year's Malaysia Cup goes on, thanks to a fighting display by Safuwan Bahrudin and PDRM FA to knock out 2012 champions Kelantan in the quarterfinals.

Although PDRM lost 1-0 at home on Saturday night, they prevailed on away goals in an aggregate score of 2-2.

The Cops will now face 2015 finalists, Kedah, over two legs, in the semifinals on Sept. 30 and Oct. 14.

It means that, while Hariss Harun and Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim were eliminated in the group stages, unfashionable PDRM live to fight another day.

Safuwan, who scored a crucial away goal in the 2-1 first-leg victory on Aug. 28, told ESPN FC that he was delighted to help the unfashionable team move to within striking distance of the Malaysia Cup final on Oct. 29.

"The second leg against Kelantan was a hard fought game, and the boys gave everything," Safuwan said.

"We knew it wasn't going to be easy playing against Kelantan, even at our home."

Still hunting for that dream Malaysia Cup final! Second Leg Quarters up against kelantan tonight. May Allah guide PDRM to our very first semi final spot in the Malaysia Cup campaign,In Shaa Allah.#SB21 #thecops

A photo posted by SB21 �������� (@safuwanbaharudin) on

PDRM were under pressure when Kelantan took the lead in the 35th minute through midfielder Badhri Radzi. It meant that another goal would have been enough for the Red Warriors to progress.

But a spirited display in the second half at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca ensured that PDRM squeaked through.

"Naturally, with a 2-1 lead, the tendency to sit back is higher," Safuwan admitted.

"But we created five or six clear chances, but luck wasn't on our side to score."

Safuwan was a member of the LionsXII side who defeated Kelantan in the final of 2015 Malaysia FA Cup, with a 3-1 victory at Bukit Jalil National Stadium last May.

He would love to make it two finals in two years. However, he admitted that overcoming in-form Kedah, who thrashed Negeri Sembilan 5-0 on Saturday night, would be a tall order.

"But credit goes to our team," he said. "The tough quarterfinal against Kelantan only makes us stronger.

"Our team deserves to be in the semifinals, and we want to go on as far as we can."

Defending champions Selangor and T-Team will face off in the other semifinal on Oct. 1 and 15.

In between the two legs of the semifinals, Safuwan will wear the colours of Singapore against Malaysia in the Causeway Challenge at Singapore National Stadium on Sept. 7.

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