KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Defending champions, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), put one foot into the FA Cup final after recording a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Kuching City FC in the first leg of the semi-final at the State Stadium in Sarawak last night.

Playing away from home, the Southern Tigers first broke the deadlock in the 36th minute through a neat finish by lethal import striker Bergson da Silva, after receiving an accurate pass from a teammate.

In the second half, JDT extended their lead when da Silva once again punished the home team’s lapse in defensive with his second goal in the 49th minute.

Stung by the two goals, Kuching City managed to narrow the deficit through a clean strike from Petrus Shitembi in the 68th minute, but their efforts to find an equaliser were unsuccessful until the final whistle.

The away victory provides an early advantage for JDT ahead of the second semi-final match, which will take place at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor.

Meanwhile, the chances for Sabah FC and Selangor FC to advance to the final remain open after both teams shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu.

The Rhinos, managed by Daniel Jean-Paul De Marigny, opened the scoring through Ajdin Mujagic as early as the 13th minute, beating Selangor goalkeeper Sikh Izhan Nazrel.

The Red Giants squad then staged a comeback in the second half to take a two-goal lead, first through an own goal by Sabah player Dane Ingham in the 65th minute, and then through Nooa Laine in the 80th minute.

However, Mujagic emerged as the hero for Sabah with an equaliser in injury to ensure that the final spot will only be determined in the second semi-final match at Selangor’s home ground.