KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) edged Selangor 2-1 in Larkin while Pahang held Kedah to a 3-3 draw in Alor Star in today's semi-final first leg of the Malaysia Cup.
Syafiq Ahmad netted for JDT after 15 minutes when he beat the offside trap and scored from his second attempt.
But the lead lasted for only two minutes. Ifedayo Olusegun cleveryly disguised his shot inside the penalty box to level for Selangor.
Leandro Velazquez turned out to be the hero for the Southern Tigers when he scored in the 49th minute.
However, the away goal scored by Selangor could prove crucial when B. Satiananthan's side entertain JDT in the return leg in Shah Alam next weekend.
In Alor Star, Pahang threw away a two-goal lead as Kedah sealed a draw.
But the result should given the Elephants the advantage when they hosts Kedah in Kuantan in the return leg next weekend.
A stunning Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria long-range goal handed Pahang the lead in the 13th minute before Nigerian Dickson Nwakaeme added a second 13 minutes later.
But Kedah drew level before half time thanks to Fernando Rodriguez's brace in the 32nd and 39th minutes with teammate Jonathan Bauman failing to convert his spot kick in between.
Pahang regain their lead in the 73rd minute through Nor Azam Azih.
Kedah, however, continued to press and were rewarded when Zaquan Adha Radzak netted the equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time.