JDT outplay UM-Damansara in FA Cup opener

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta Zim (JDT) began their FA Cup campaign with a emphatic 4-1 victory over A1 Semi-Pro League outfit UM-Damansara United at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Tuesday. The home side took an early lead in the third minute through a penalty by Brazilian recruit Jairo Da Silva. UM-Damansara's defence crumbled again in the 29th minute, as JDT's newest talent Dani Bolt scored his second goal to extend JDT's advantage to two.

Manuel Hidalgo sealed the match for JDT in the 42nd minute with his third goal, leaving the Southern Tigers with a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into halftime. JDT continued their dominance after the break, with Hidalgo adding a second goal in the 54th minute. An injury-time consolation goal from Amirul Akmal provided UM-Damansara with a fleeting moment of hope.

In another first-leg tie at Manjung Stadium, Kuala Lumpur City put up a spirited performance against 10-man Perak FA before eventually falling short 1-0. Perak managed to hold on to the lead for an hour before Firdaus Fuad's red card in the 60th minute. Kuala Lumpur City capitalized on their man advantage and netted the winning goal in the 86th minute.

Meanwhile, the FA Cup fixture between Brunei DPMM and Terengganu scheduled for tonight has been postponed due to deteriorating haze conditions in Brunei Darussalam. A new date is expected to be announced soon.