Felda United causes major upset by beating Kelantan

Felda United caused a huge upset in the Malaysia Cup competition when they stunned defending champions Kelantan 2-0 in a Group C match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium here yesterday.

Goals by Mohd Farderin Kadir (27th minute) and D. Saarvindran (67th) were enough to see off the Red Warriors.

Felda, who had lost both their earlier matches to Kelantan in the Super League (6-0, 3-1) this season, were a revitalised side with the inclusion of the two on-loan signings – Harimau Muda’s Saarvindran and S. Sivanesan – in midfield.

In fact, Saarvindran had a hand in the opening goal when his stiff grounder, from outside the box, came off the woodwork. The lurking Mohd Farderin pounced on the rebound to whip it past Kelantan custodian Mohd Shahrizam Ismail from the near post.

Kelantan, backed by a strong group of supporters, fought back with vengeance and came close equalising but skipper Mohd Badhri Radzi failed to convert two golden opportunities.

National striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha sent in a cross from the right but Mohd Badhri, with only goalkeeper Mohd Hamsani Ahmad to beat, headed wide in the 30th minute.

Norshahrul then put Mohd Badhri through on goal seven minutes later but the Kelantan skipper’s shot from the top of the box was well saved by Mohd Hamsani.

Kelantan raised their game after the break but Felda held stoutly at the back, with Kaironissam Sahabuddin holding the fort.

Frustrated Kelantan fans then got into the act by throwing objects onto the pitch, forcing play to be stopped in the 54th minute.

The game resumed four minutes later.

Felda, undeterred by the Kelantan fans’ behaviour and stoppage, sealed victory in the 67th minute when Saarvindran, after receiving the ball from a throw-in 30m out, sent in a stiff grounder past Mohd Shahrizam.

Kelantan tried hard to bounce back and had a few more looks at goal but strikers Mohd Azamuddin Akil and Norshahrul found Felda keeper Mohd Hamsani in top form.

Felda lead the standings at the half-way mark with the maximum nine points from three wins while Kelantan slipped to second spot on six points. Johor FC are in third spot with three points while Sarawak have lost all three matches.