Kuching City FC v Selangor FC: a 2-1 deficit to overturn in Kuching in the Malaysia FA Cup semi-final

Kuching City FC go into the second leg of their Malaysia FA Cup semi-final 2-1 down to Selangor FC, with the return at Taha Ariffin Stadium, Kuching, kicking off at 7.45pm Malaysian time on 8 November.

R. Saifullah gave Kuching City FC the lead in the ninth minute of the first leg at MBPJ Stadium on 23 October. E. Sosa equalised in the 19th minute and scored again in the 58th minute. If Kuching City FC win by a single goal, the tie is level on aggregate.

The two clubs met at the same stage of the Malaysia Cup earlier this year. They drew 1-1 at MBPJ Stadium on 5 April, and Kuching City FC won the second leg 1-0 in Kuching on 18 April before losing the final 2-0 to Johor Darul Ta’zim on 23 May.

Kuching City FC have not lost at home in this cup run. They drew 0-0 away to Kelantan Red Warrior FC in the round of 16 and won the return 5-1 on 8 September, then drew 0-0 away to Kelantan City FC in the quarter-finals and won 4-1 at home on 10 October. Their cup record this season reads two wins, two draws and one defeat.

Selangor FC reached this stage despite a 3-2 home defeat by Star City FC on 11 October, having won the first leg of that quarter-final 4-1 away on 19 September.

In the Malaysia Super League, Selangor FC are second with 18 points from six matches, all of them wins, and level on points with the leaders. Kuching City FC are third on 12 points, with four wins and two defeats.

Both sides won their most recent match. Kuching City FC beat Gangwon FC 2-0 in the AFC Champions League Two on 5 November, S. Rasid scoring twice, and Selangor FC beat Star City FC 1-0 in the league on 1 November through H. Boumous.

After the semi-final, Kuching City FC visit Negeri Sembilan FC in the league on 20 November, and Selangor FC travel to Sabah FC on 28 November.