MALAYSIA CUP: Red Warriors saved by goals from Fakri, Badhri after James brace SUBSTITUTE Ahmad Fakri

Saarani and captain Badhri Radzi scored late goals as Kelantan edged Armed Forces 4-3 on aggregate to qualify for the Malaysia Cup final for the fourth time in five seasons yesterday. Kelantan were expecting a routine match after recording a 2-1 semi-final first leg win at Selayang Stadium last weekend but Forces had other ideas in Kota Baru. Marlon Alex James' first half brace gave Forces a 3-2 lead on aggregate but Ahmad Fakri and Badhri spoiled their party with goals in the 82nd and 85th minutes. The match ended 2-2. Forces ruthlessly dominated the opening minutes with Hairuddin Omar and Marlon Alex James failing to find the net in the third and fifth minutes. Kelantan had their moment in the 14th minute but Badhri's near post low drive was blocked by Forces goalkeeper Farizal Harun. The visitors, however, remained composed and organised, attacking mostly from the left flank and their persistence finally paid dividends after their free kick produced a poor Dickson Nwakaene's clearance in the 18th minute. James then picked up the loose ball inside the penalty box and unleashed a low drive into the left hand corner past keeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat for a 1-0 lead. Nwakaene was a menace in Forces' half with his speed and precision passing upfront but his teammates failed to make his efforts count in the first half. James scored his ninth goal in the competition by netting from close range in the 35th minute after former Young Tigers A midfielder Affizie Faizal Mamat flicked on a long pass from the left. Despite the absence of first-choice defender, Amiridzwan Taj Tajuddin Forces managed to deny Kelantan from scoring in the first half. The homesters could have avoided conceding goals if they had defended better. As expected, Kelantan were aggressive after the breather, pinning Forces in their own half for long periods. Former international Indra Putra Mahayuddin's long range drive forced keeper Farizal into making a superb save in the 48th minute before efforts from Norfarhan Mohd and Nwakaene were cleared away to safety. Forces almost scored a third through Hairuddin but the veteran's glancing header off a corner kick was cleared on the goal line by a Kelantan defender in the 58t minute. The homesters then enjoyed a run of opportunities in the space of three minutes and were unlucky not to find the net.

Indra's powerful free kick was tipped over the bar by keeper Farizal in the 66th minute while Nwakaeme's driving header could only rattle the Forces' crossbar. But the tiring Forces failed to remain compose in the final minutes, allowing Kelantan with plenty of opportunities. Ahmad Fakri latched on a near-perfect Indra's pass before the flicking the ball over a Forces defender and driving home in the 82nd minute.