The Tigers qualify for the last four with a 6-3 aggregate. Maybank won the first-leg match 1-0 on Wednesday in Penang. They will take on league champions Ernst and Young in the semi-finals.
Defending overall champions Tenaga Nasional meet league runners-up Sapura in the other semi-finals.The first-leg semi-final matches will be played on Dec 19 with the return-leg on Dec 21.
In yesterday’s match, Maybank surprised Nur Insafi by taking the lead in the very first minute through Hafifihafiz Hanafi. Eight minutes later Hafifi was on target again off a penalty corner setpiece.
The Tigers made it 3-0 in the 27th minute when K. Gobinathan’s through pass was well connected into goal by Suhaimi Ibrahim.
However, Nur Insafi did not give up and fought back to score two goals through Ramesh Kumar in the 31st and Kul Bhusan Vashist in the 47th minute to reduce the deficit at 2-3.
But the Tigers score two quick goals in the space of eight minutes to increase their lead to 5-2. Gobinathan scored off a penalty corner in the 52nd minute and eight minutes later Chairil Anwar scored from close range.
Nur Insafi scored their third goal in the last minute through Nur Hrsikesa Mohd Murni.
Maybank coach S. Velappan said that he was delighted with his players for taking their chances well.
“I am impressed with the fighting spirit shown by my players. Hafifi was the toast of the team for scoring two goals.”
“However, we will not have the services of forward Suhaimi (Ibrahim) for the first-leg semi-finals on Friday after he collected a yellow card in the match,” said Velappan.
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