BY ZULHILMI ZAINAL Follow on Twitter
Selangor U21 and Terengganu U21 have emerged as this year's President's Cup finalists, the country's U21 competition, with the two sides defeating their respective semi-final opponents on the away goal rule earlier this week.
Selangor held Kedah to a 1-1 draw at the Darul Aman Stadium in the second leg encounter on Friday, but won the tie as the first leg match had ended in a goalless draw. The Red Giants were bolstered by the inclusion of six of their senior team players in the starting line-up; including Syahmi Safari, Kannan Kalaiselvan and Namathevan Arunasalam. Kedah too were reinforced by senior players Farhan Roslan and Ariff Farhan, as well as 18-year old prospect Akhyar Rashid.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Suhaimie Saad's header, but Faizzudin Abidin equalised just minutes later. The Red Eagles were not able to retake the lead, and the four-time champions were victorious.
Kedah vs Selangor highlights
Meanwhile in Kota Bharu, Terengganu advanced to the final after overcoming defending champions and East Coast rivals Kelantan. The first goal of the second leg match only came in the 67th minute, scored by Kelantan's Nik Azli Nik Alias, but Haidhir Suhaini responded with a quick brace in the 72nd and 74 minute. Danial Ashraf Abdullah's 87th minute goal levelled the scoreline at 3-3 on aggregate for Kelantan but it was not enough, as the visitors had the away goal advantage at the final whistle. The win has given the Turtles' their third appearance in the competition's final.
The first leg of the final will be held on Thursday October 12 with Selangor as the hosts, while the return fixture will take place one week later on October 19. The venues and kick-off times are yet to be confirmed.
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