Kedah D.A. FC 2 – Star City Football Club 2
Malaysian FA Cup | 2 September 2026

Kedah D.A. FC and Star City Football Club served up a pulsating 2-2 draw in the Malaysian FA Cup on a humid Tuesday night, leaving the tie beautifully balanced and ensuring the two sides will carry plenty of unresolved business into the next phase of the competition. For the home supporters at Darul Aman Stadium or wherever the tie was staged, it was a night of momentum shifts, defensive lapses, and moments of genuine attacking quality.

Kedah, a club with a rich tradition in the Piala FA and one of Malaysia's most decorated domestic sides, started as the clear favourite on paper. Star City, however, arrived with refreshing ambition and quickly made it clear that status alone would count for little in a knockout setting.

An open contest from the opening whistle

The first spell was a story of two teams trying to impose themselves in contrasting ways. Kedah looked to play through midfield with short combinations and push their full-backs high, while Star City were pragmatic without the ball, committing bodies behind the ball but breaking forward sharply when possession was won. The visitors took an early lead from a well-worked counter-attack that exposed the space Kedah had left in pursuit of the opening goal.

Kedah responded with sustained pressure, and the equaliser arrived midway through the half after a decisive piece of work in the penalty area. The home striker held off his marker long enough to sweep a low finish across goal, bringing the scores level and injecting more energy into an already lively crowd.

Goals keep the tie alive

The second half began with more siege-like pressure from Kedah, and when the home team took a 2-1 lead, it felt as if the match might follow a predictable script. A smart run in behind the full-back, a cutback, and a simple tap-in from close range released enormous pressure and gave the hosts a moment of clear superiority.

But Star City were not finished. They grew back into the match and found a well-taken equaliser, capitalising on a loose ball inside the area after a delayed clearance. Rather than shutting up shop, the away side pushed toward a late, headline-making winner and had the better of the final ten minutes. Both teams had presentable chances to take home the spoils, but the evening ended even.

Tactical story and the balance of the tie

Kedah will look back on their inability to manage the game after taking the lead as a minor frustration. Their midfield dominance was not always reflected on the scoreboard, and the team’s high line caused occasional problems in wide areas.

Star City, meanwhile, deserve credit for their organisation and tactical discipline. They soaked up prolonged spells of pressure, kept their defensive shape when Kedah switched play, and always offered a threat down the flanks. The draw keeps the competition open, and if Star City take one clear chance in the decisive moments, Kedah could find themselves in real trouble.

Standout moments

• Star City’s fast start put Kedah on the back foot and answered a hostile early atmosphere.
• Kedah’s first equaliser came from physical presence and strong hold-up play in the box, forcing their way back into the contest.
• The home team’s second goal showcased sharp movement in the final third, but poor game management after that let Star City restore parity.

With the aggregate scoreline level and away goals having factored in, Kedah and Star City must now regroup and plan for the decisive next meeting. From the outside, the tie looks much healthier for the underdogs: they have matched one of Malaysia’s leading FA Cup clubs for 90 minutes, and they will now dream of finishing the job.