KUALA LUMPUR: PKNS took a huge stride towards the FA Cup semi-finals after trouncing Sime Darby 4-0 while Darul Ta'zim and Perak also picked up wins in the first leg of the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Perak edged Premier League leaders Kuala Lumpur 1-0 in Ipoh while Darul Ta'zim triumphed by the same score over Super League rivals Police in Malacca.
Juan Martin Lucero scored in the 19th minute from the penalty spot at the Hang Jebat Stadium for Darul Ta'zim, who have yet to lose in normal time after 12 matches this year, as Police succumbed to the AFC Cup and Super League champions for a second consecutive weekend.
Perak, who have only conceded three times in seven matches this year, gained a fortunate goal in the seventh minute at the Perak Stadium.
Defender Thiago Junior Aquino's header from a corner was saved by KL goalkeeper Badrulzaman Halim only for the ball to hit KL defender Helmi Remeli and bounce into goal.
PKNS downed 10-man Sime Darby 4-0 in a clash between two Premier League teams at the Selayang Stadium to put one foot in the semi-finals.
Palestine international Matias Jadue opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Juan Manuel Cobelli headed in P. Gunalan's cross in the 55th and converted a pass from Jadue in the 78th.
Nazrin Syamsul Bahri wrapped up the win five minutes from time while Sime Darby were reduced to 10 men when striker Mateo Roskam was dismissed in the 53rd minute after being booked twice.
On Friday, Kedah gained a slender 2-1 lead over Sabah in Kota Kinabalu. The return legs take place on April 1-2.