JENGKA: Hadin Azman snatched a late equaliser as Felda United forced defending champions Kedah to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Malaysia Cup semi-final in Jengka on Sunday.
Substitute Hadin headed in a corner-kick in the 87th minute to cancel Sandro Mendonca's penalty early in the second half to leave matters even with the second leg to come in Alor Star on Saturday.
Both coaches made two changes each from their side's last games as they sought an advantage at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium.
Felda coach B. Sathianathan fielded Daniel Amier Norhisham in midfield with Stuart Wark out due to a knee injury while centre-back Dino Djulbic returned from suspension in the only changes from the side which defeated Johor Darul Ta'zim 3-2 on Sept 28.
Kedah coach Nidzam Adzha Yusof restored right-back Rizal Ghazali and midfielder Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik to the side after their last outing ended in a 4-2 defeat to Sarawak in the Super League.
The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges with Danish striker Ken Ilso twice denied by goalkeeper Farizal Harun in the eighth minute while Baddrol Bakhtiar headed wide of a gaping goal in the 25th.
Felda's best chances fell to Ifedayo Omosuyi but the Nigerian first hit a close-range shot straight at goalkeeper Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim and then curled an effort just wide of the post a minute before half-time.
Brazilian forward Mendonca almost broke the deadlock for Kedah when his volley forced Farizal into a one-handed save in the 57th minute before Syazwan Zainon earned a penalty for Kedah when he was fouled by Safwan Hashim in the box.
Mendonca calmly fired into the top corner from the spot in the 62nd minute for his seventh goal in the Malaysia Cup.
It looked like Kedah had done enough until Hadin popped up at the far post to head in a corner-kick taken by Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor with three minutes remaining for the equaliser.