BY ZULHILMI ZAINAL Follow on Twitter
After guiding Sime Darby to a swift return to the M-League by defeating Felcra FC in the FAM Cup semis, the Giant Killers boss Ahmad Yusoff told the press that both sides could have emerged winners in the tie.
In the second leg match that was held at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium on Sunday, Zul Fahmi Awang's 40th minute goal was enough to give the hosts a 1-0 win on aggregate, and confirm their promotion to the Premier League. They had earlier been relegated at the conclusion of the 2016 season.
Sime Darby players and coaches celebrating the win.
"Congratulations to my players for winning the game. It was not an easy game as Felcra are a formidable opponent.
"Felcra were simply unlucky because they did manage to create chances. We matched them and it was a closely-fought match, but in the end were more clinical," said Yusoff after the match.
Whereas for Felcra boss Rosle Md. Derus, the future of the club looks uncertain. The defeat was the second year in a row they were denied promotion at the last hurdle, following their semi-final defeat to PKNP FC in 2016.
"We failed to capitalise on the chances we had, and we committed simple mistakes. But that's football, the side that make the least mistakes and take advantage will win.
"We played well throughout the whole season, but again we fell at the last hurdle. We failed to meet the objective and now I'm not sure what will happen.
"It is now up to the board (whether to compete again in 2018), and I await their decision," remarked Rosle.
Sime Darby will now face the other semi-final winners UKM FC in the final, with UKM hosting the second leg on October 15, and Sime Darby hosting the return fixture on October 22.
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