Selangor and Sabah FA played out a 3-3 draw in the FA Cup semi-finals at the MBPJ Stadium, a result that did not match the Lemeister model's projection of a comfortable home win. The model had given Selangor a 54 per cent chance of victory and forecast a 2-0 scoreline, but the data from the match tells a story of equal attacking output and defensive vulnerability from both sides.
F. Halim opened the scoring for Selangor in the 33rd minute, giving the home side a lead they took into half-time. Sabah FA responded quickly after the restart through D. Ingham in the 47th minute, but Selangor regained the lead four minutes later when Chrigor Moraes found the net in the 51st minute. The pattern of swift responses continued as A. Mujagic equalised for Sabah in the 62nd minute. F. Halim struck again for Selangor in the 73rd minute, only for A. Mujagic to complete his own brace in the 88th minute, with the assist credited to himself, to make it 3-3.
The statistical picture reinforces the even nature of the contest. While possession and shots data are absent from the available facts, the goal sequence alone indicates that neither defence was able to exert control for sustained periods. All six goals were normal goals, with no penalties or own goals, suggesting the attacking play was open and creative from both sets of forwards. The fact that three of the six goals came within the first 15 minutes of the second half points to a period of high intensity and defensive lapses from both teams.
Discipline became a significant factor in the latter stages. Selangor’s S. Nazrel received a yellow card in the 60th minute, and F. Mazlan followed in the 89th minute. Sabah’s G. Steven was also cautioned in the 90th minute. The match then swung decisively in added time when Selangor’s M. Diarra was sent off with a red card in the 94th minute, leaving the home side to play the remainder of extra time with 10 men. R. Shamsul of Selangor was also booked in the 101st minute, compounding their disciplinary issues.
With six substitutions made by each side, both managers had the opportunity to influence the game from the bench, though the specific impact of those changes is not recorded in the data. The match ratings are also unavailable, but the performance of A. Mujagic stands out naturally: he scored twice, including a late equaliser, and was involved in the assist for his own goal. For Selangor, F. Halim’s double was similarly decisive.
The result leaves the tie perfectly balanced ahead of the second leg. Selangor will be concerned by their disciplinary record, especially the red card for M. Diarra, which could leave them short-handed for the decisive fixture. Sabah will take confidence from their ability to come from behind repeatedly, and the late equaliser from A. Mujagic gives them momentum. The semi-final is now a straight fight to reach the final, with Selangor’s numerical disadvantage adding an extra layer of difficulty.
