NEGRI ON THEIR WAY TO THE MALAYSIA CUP FINAL

Negri players celebrate with coach Wan Jamak pix by Kosmo

NEGRI SEMBILAN storm the rain as they battle their way for a place in the Malaysia Cup finals in style with a 2-0 win against Johor FC thus qualify on 2-1 aggregate in the second leg semi-final at J-Corp Stadium last night.

They will meet Kelantan in the final for the second straight year running a repeat of last year’s clash which saw Negri took the cup for the second time after the Red Warriors edge Kedah 1-0 in another second-leg semifinal match in Kota Bharu.

Negri started the match with an uphill task after a goal down in the first leg at Paroi. They need a an early goal to cancel out the advantage or at least to hang on for a while to regroup and gather all their strength to go after the ultimate goal the Grand Finale.

The Deers with midfielder Idris Karim back in their side after a one match suspension played their usual formation and within five minutes into the match they could easily got their first goal.

Striker Shuhairain Abu Samah sneak in between the crowded Johor FC  defenders just a fraction of seconds late to connect the ball direct from a free-kick. Then  10 minutes later Abdul Halim Zainal positioning well at the far post just fails to guide his header right on target also from a free-kick.

With the match past the half hour mark it was a touch and go affair with both teams going for the opener. Wan Jamak had stressed earlier that his side need for an early goal to steer and get into gear and it works.  

Six minutes later Negri got what they are looking for when they shocked the home side with a perfect header by the tireless hardworking Shukur Adan. From Ching Hong Aik corner kick he rosed high above the crowded area struck underneath the cross bar cross over the line before a Johor FC defender cleared away.

The goal brought huge protest from both Johor FC players and their officials in the bench but referee Nagor Amir stood by his decision. (Watching the match live on television the referee was absolutely correct).

Two minutes before the break, the hard running Eddy Helmi dribbles past two Negri defenders on the left and race through the by line and made a cross in the box. A timely intervened  by Tengku Qayyum got the ball in the nick of time for safety.

In the second half the defending champions began to dominate the match and looking dangerous everytime they went for attack. However Johor FC reply with some quick counter attacks but they just could not past the Negri  defence led by skipper Aidil Abd Razak and Shukur Adan.

Speedy S.Kunalan such a menace on the left flank was time and timely hacked down by the Johor defence and that’s begin the downfall of the southern club side. Right on the one-hour-mark Kunalan who had a poor game in Paroi raced in the box from Abdul Halim delightful pass was pulled down by Khairi Kiman.

The referee straightaway blew for a penalty which Shuhairain easily converted  from the spot to give some 800 travelling fans huge celeberations in the stand.

In the 82^nd minute the home side was down to 10 men when referee Nagor Amir flashed a yellow card his second yellow of the night for defender Izwan Jamaluddin for his outburst.

Despite trailing by two goals Johor FC gave the visitor some anxious moment. But this time around Negri goalkeeper Sani Anuar Kamsani prove to be a stumbling block prior to his error in Paroi. Deservedly received a pat on the head by Shukur Adan.

Credit for Johor FC coach Azuan Zain for taking his team this far but he could jeorpadise his good coaching job for his remarks on the referee. A job well done for Negri coach Wan Jamak Wan Hassan and he will be left smiling all the way back to Seremban. See you all in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.