MALAYSIA CUP: COACH BADRUL AFZAN HAILS MAGNIFICENT FIGHTBACK BY TURTLES

KUALA NERUS, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Terengganu FC (TFC) head coach Badrul Afzan Razali has described his team's remarkable fightback from 2-0 down to beat Negeri Sembilan FC (NSFC) 4-2 in the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals, return-leg tie as "extraordinary”.

That home win, at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium here last night, allowed TFC to win 6-2 on aggregate and qualify for the semi-finals.

Badrul Afzan attributed the early setback in last night's game to his team's penchant for attacking football, resulting in them losing focus.

"I admit I was anxious when we went 2-0 down. But, overall, we controlled the game.

"My players were too complacent and we were also too focused on scoring to ensure we make the semi-finals… that led to us making mistakes we shouldn't have,” he told the post-match press conference.

The comeback victory has fuelled Badrul Afzan's determination to prepare his team for their semi-final, first-leg match against defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on Jan 17, 2025.

NSFC coach K. Nantha Kumar, meanwhile attributed his team's defensive mistakes for allowing TFC back into the game.

"Once they equalised, we slowed down. In the second half, TFC controlled the game. We will focus on our Super League challenge after this. We have nine more matches to get ourselves out from the bottom of the 13-team Super League standings,” he said.

Meanwhile, JDT lived up to expectations to advance to the last four by thrashing Kuala Lumpur City FC 4-0 in the quarter-final, return-leg clash at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri last night for a 6-1 aggregate victory.

JDT head coach Hector Bidoglio said he was pleased with his players’ aggressive performance and consistency as they chase their third trophy for this season, having clinched the Charity Shield and FA Cup crowns.

"My players performed well. We tried to press them (KL City) and we also played aggressively and with high intensity,” he told the post-match press conference.

Bidoglio, however, reminded his men to be on constant alert and not get too comfortable with their performance level, stressing the need to stay focused at all times.

"The most important thing is that we continue to play as a compact, aggressive and dynamic outfit. This will always be my footballing philosophy,” he said.

-- BERNAMA