FA Cup 2016: Kedah still have a mountain to climb in Larkin

PETALING JAYA: Nothing is guaranteed as far as Kedah coach Tan Cheng Hoe is concerned.

The former international masterminded the Red Eagles’ 2-1 win over Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) to end the Super League champions’ 13-match unbeaten run in the first leg of the FA Cup semi-finals at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar on Saturday.

Kedah, the Premier League champions, went ahead through Mohd Farhan Roslan in the 15th minute but Argentine Juan Lucero scored the equaliser for the Southern Tigers in the 27th minute. Sandro Da Silva then scored the winner in the 45th minute to put Kedah in the driver’s seat for the return leg at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Baru on April 30.

Said Cheng Hoe: “The tie is still open although we won the first leg. There’s still a lot of work to be done for the second leg.

“We played a good game to secure a win but the second leg will be a lot tougher. JDT will be throwing everything at us. Playing at Larkin has always been difficult for any team.”

JDT have an impressive form at home, unbeaten in all competitions since the start of the season.

Kedah have an interesting round of Super League fixtures before taking on JDT in the return leg.

They face Terengganu FC II in Kuala Terengganu on Tueday and then JDT at the Darulaman Stadium on Saturday.

In contrast, JDT have three matches before the FA Cup showdown. They take on Sarawak in Kuching on Tuesday and Kedah in the Super League before their AFC Cup Group H match against Ayeyawady United on April 27.

But Cheng Hoe believes the extra match will not affect JDT.

“JDT have already qualified for the AFC Cup last 16 so they will definitely rest their key players. They also have a big squad with enough quality in them.”