Kedah FA 2-1 Staf USM FC — Kedah FA came from behind to secure a 2-1 win in the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League on Saturday, 10 October 2026, turning a frustrating first half into a decisive second-half performance in front of their home support.

Second-Half Comeback Seals the Points for Kedah

Kedah FA recovered from a half-time deficit to beat Staf USM FC 2-1 in the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League. After conceding a first-half penalty, the hosts reorganised, raised their tempo and scored twice after the break to claim a result that keeps their season moving in the right direction.

It was a classic case of a team refusing to panic. USM's organised, patient approach had frustrated Kedah for the opening 45 minutes, but the response after the interval was emphatic.

Match Overview

Kedah started the brighter of the two sides, moving the ball quickly through midfield and forcing a series of early corners. USM, though, defended in numbers and looked dangerous whenever they broke forward, drawing fouls in wide areas and slowing the game down.

The visitors took the lead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after a clumsy challenge inside the box. Firdaus Azman stepped up and converted with confidence, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Kedah ended the half pressing but without a clear route to goal.

Key Moments

• 12' — Kedah's first meaningful effort, a header from a corner that clears the crossbar.
• 34' — GOAL for Staf USM FC. Firdaus Azman converts a penalty after a foul in the area.
• HT — Kedah 0-1 Staf USM FC.
• 58' — GOAL for Kedah. Muhaimin Ikhwan arrives at the back post to convert a low cross and level the score.
• 70' — USM's goalkeeper makes a superb double save to keep the game level.
• 81' — GOAL for Kedah. Zulhilmi Rashid curls a shot into the far corner from the edge of the box to complete the turnaround.

Tactical Story of the Match

The key change came in midfield. In the first half, Kedah's build-up was too slow, allowing USM's compact block to shift across and smother the wide areas. After the break, Kedah pushed their full-backs higher and committed an extra runner into the box, which stretched the visiting defence and created the space for both goals.

USM's game plan was sound for an hour: defend deep, break quickly, and use set pieces. But as legs tired and the substitutions came, they dropped deeper and deeper, and the sustained pressure eventually told. Their goalkeeper kept them in the contest, but the quality of Kedah's finishing in the final 20 minutes proved decisive.

Standout Performers

Zulhilmi Rashid produced the moment of the match with his curled winner and was a constant threat drifting in from the left. Muhaimin Ikhwan deserved credit for the equaliser, timing his run perfectly to meet the cross. For USM, Firdaus Azman was their most composed player, converting under pressure and linking play intelligently throughout.

What It Means for the Table

The three points strengthen Kedah FA's position in the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League standings and underline their ability to grind out results even when the performance is not perfect. Staf USM FC leave with nothing despite a disciplined display, but the margin between the sides was narrow — a detail that should give them encouragement for the fixtures ahead.