MBPJ, the 2006 overall champions, scored two quick goals in the second half through Fahmi (40th minute) and Hafiz Nawi (41st) before BPSS Juniors hit back through Firhan Ashaari (57th and 70th) to force the match into sudden-death extra-time.
MBPJ will face Division One winners BPSS-Thunderbolt in today’s semi-final at the same venue (4pm).
The other semi-final will be between defending champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and debutants Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) at the same venue (6pm).
In yesterday’s match, MBPJ created more chances but had to wait until after the break to score two quick goals.
Forward Fahmi put the PJ team ahead in the 40th minute when he beat two defenders before scoring from the top D.
Barely a minute later MBPJ made it 2-0 with a field goal by Hafiz.
Just when it looked like MBPJ were coasting to victory, BPSS Juniors took advantage of their rivals’ poor defending to score two penalty corner goals in the last 13 minutes.
Firhan reduced the deficit in the 57th minute. Then, in the very last minute, he made no mistake from the top D to flick a high ball into the net to force the game into extra-time.
MBPJ were the stronger side in extra-time, earning three penalty corners in a row. And it was left to Fahmi to crack home the golden goal in the 82nd minute.
MBPJ assistant team manager Zanal Abidin Ismail said that his forwards missed a lot of sitters in the match.
“We created so many chances but just could not score in the first-half. However, I am happy that my boys played well to score the golden goal,” said Zanal, who expects BPSS-Thunderbolt to start out as favourites “because they had beaten us 4-1 in the league”.
“It will be tough for us to beat BPSS-Thunderbolt because they have 10 players from the Project 2013 squad. I also hope my boys will be able to recover after playing a tough match against BPSS Juniors today,” said Zanal.
The other semi-final between BJSS and UniKL is expected to be a close affair as well as both the teams drew 1-1 in the league.
BJSS coach S. Prakash is keeping his fingers crossed that his players would rise to the occasion.
“The pressure will be on us as we are the defending champions. We failed to retain the league title but I hope my boys will give their best to reach the final,” said Prakash.
