Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) crashed out of the 2016 Malaysia Cup after managing only a 1-1 draw away to PKNS FC at Shah Alam Stadium, with the Premier League side advancing from Group C, alongside PDRM FA.
The Cops went through as group leaders after they downed Perak 2-1 at the Hang Tuah Stadium, courtesy of goals from Guilherme De Paula and Fakhrul Aiman.
JDT had started their match without Argentine forwards Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Juan Martin Lucero, with veterans Amri Yahyah and Safee Sali deployed in their places.
PKNS, who took lead against the Southern Tigers in the reverse fixture last month, emulated that just three minutes into the game, courtesy of forward Matias Jadue's opener.
The goal was the Palestine striker's third in consecutive matches, and it consolidated the unfashionable side's push for a quarterfinal spot.
GOAL!! PKNS FC membuka jaringan menerusi @Matijadue pada minit ke-2. Kedudukan semasa PKNS FC 1 - JDT 0 pic.twitter.com/XOfN8YFmbI
- PKNS Football Club (@the_pknsfc) August 20, 2016
Former Suzuki Cup star Safee came close with an effort that sailed past the crossbar in the 17th minute, before he had another acrobatic attempt saved shortly after.
And the 32-year-old justified his selection with a goal four minutes before the break to throw JDT a lifeline.
The equaliser was Safee's fifth strike in all competitions when starting a game this season, and six in total.
The visitors made three changes in quick succession midway through the second half, as Amirulhadi Zainal, Azniee Taib and Nazrin Nawi made way for Gary Steven Robbat, S. Chanturu and captain Safiq Rahim.
But the Red Ants, who were conquered by their opponents in the FA Cup final in May and drew 2-2 at Larkin Stadium in July, hung on to book their place in the knockout stages.
In other games, Malaysia striker Hazwan Bakri provided a 68th minute equaliser as Selangor drew 1-1 away to Kuala Lumpur in Group B. The Red Giants advanced from Group B, along with Kelantan, who fell to a 2-0 defeat away to the already eliminated Pahang, after starting their game with six youth team players.
Quarterfinals:
Kedah vs. Negeri Sembilan
Felda United vs. T-Team
Selangor vs. PKNS FC
PDRM FA vs. Kelantan
Matches played over two legs on Aug. 27-28 and Sep. 17-18