FEW had given Kedah any hope of even winning a match when the Malaysia Cup started but coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s side have upset all calculations to storm into the semi-finals.
After losing their first two Group B matches, Kedah bounced back to finish top of a pool which included Super League sides Terengganu, Perak and Sarawak.
Having finished fourth in the Premier League, Kedah were the lowest ranked team remaining in the quarter-finals and were staring at the exit after a 3-1 defeat in the first leg against Kelantan.
But a backs-to-the-wall approach powered Kedah to an amazing 3-0 win at home in the return leg to reach the last-four for the first time since 2010.
Cheng Hoe, who only took over in April, has instilled a belief in Kedah which belied their lowly league position.
“This win is full of meaning for us,” said Cheng Hoe after goals from Hanif Mat Dzahir, Baddrol Bakhtiar and Syafiq Ahmad prompted a pitch invasion by jubilant fans at the Darulaman Stadium on Friday.
“I did not expect us to win 3-0. In my heart I knew we could score goals but I did not think we would get three.
“Congratulations to the players who gave it their all with the strong fighting spirit and commitment.
“The young players (Hanif and Syafiq) had a big impact on the game. The players were confident they would win because of the strong support of the fans.
“But now we have to try to maintain the momentum and work harder for the semi-finals.”
Kelantan coach George Boateng felt his team let themselves down with defensive errors and a red card for Ahmad Fakri Saarani.
“It was a tough result to take as a coach but we only have ourselves to blame,” said the Dutchman.
“In the first half we were second to everything and we didn’t perform as well as we could. We had a game plan but the players failed to deliver on the day.
“Normally we are very good, very sharp in the first half but today I feel very disappointed.
“Based on the football, I think we deserved to go through but in football you don’t get everything you deserve.” By Devinder Singh