JDT II win Challenge Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: 2019 Premier League runners-up Johor Darul Ta’zim II (JDT II) won the second edition of the Challenge Cup when they beat 2018 finalists UKM FC 6-5 on penalty kicks at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium here tonight.
The penalty shootout was held after the second-leg final ended 1-1 on aggregate even after 30 minutes of extra-time.
JDT II had beaten UKM FC 1-0 in the first-leg final at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council Stadium in Johor Bahru on Oct 4.
As champions JDT II walked away with the Challenge Cup, RM200,000 cash and medals while UKM FC received RM75,000 and medals.
UKM FC goalkeeper Khatul Anuar Md Jalil was named the best player in the final.
In tonight’s match, both teams were equally matched in the first half but were let down by poor finishing.
After the interval, they stepped up the tempo in search of goals and finally Croatian import Mateo Roskam put UKM FC into the lead in the 82nd minute when he converted a cross from Milad Zanidpour.
That goal fired up ‘The Varsity Boys’ squad but they could not find the net again, forcing the game into 30 minutes of extra-time, which also failed to break the deadlock of 1-1 aggregate and forced the penalty shootout.
Former national player Mohamad Fadhli Mohd Shas was the hero of the Southern Tigers when he scored the final penalty to give the trophy to JDT II.
— BERNAMA