September 23, 2008. Darul Aman Stadium, Alor Star, Kedah, Malaysia. Muharraq through as Rico hits two ALOR STAR A brace from Brazilian striker Rico secured Muharraq a 2-1 victory over Kedah to ensure comfortable progression to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup on Wednesday. The result means the Bahrain side advance to the last four with a 7-1 aggregate victory, having won the first leg 5-0. Rico (Leandson Dias da Silva) scored in the 29th and 39th minutes while Mohammed Fadly Baharum grabbed a consolation for Kedah in the 69th minute. Kedah started with the same line-up that played in the first leg last week and were more than a match for their opponents in the first 15 minutes. They produced the first chance of the game when an innocuous cross from the right by Fadly was pushed away from goal by Muharraq goalkeeper Abdulla Al Kaabi. Five minutes later, a long-range effort from midfielder Sabre Mat Abu was cleared by defender Rashed Abdulla Al Doseri but the failure of the home team to score gave the impetus to Muharraq to go forward and put pressure on the Kedah defence. And in the 29th minute there was no stopping the Bahraini champions from taking the lead when Mohamed Ahmed Salmeen dribbled through before feeding a pass to Rico, who had little difficulty in slipping the ball under charging Kedah custodian Helmi Eliza Alias. Things got worse for Kedah when ten minutes later Muharraq went 2-0 up. Helmi brought down Ali Aamer Musaifer inside the box and UAE referee Ali Hamad Al Badawi had no choice but to award a penalty to Muharraq which Rico duly stepped up to convert for his second goal of the evening. Kedah came into the second half alot more determined and in the 51st minute Fadly again tested Alkaabi but his shot ricocheted off the upright. But in the 69th minute Kedah finally scored their first goal of the tie when Fadly headed in a corner by Malaysian youth international Badrol Bakhtiar. Muharraq seemed content to let Kedah dominate the remainder of the game as they decided to sit back. But in spite of the possession and the chances Kedah created, they were unable to find an equaliser before the final whistle.

• published: 25 Sep 2008
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