UM-Damansara United 2–3 Kedah FA: Late Drama Secures Vital Away Win in Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League

Kedah FA staged a thrilling comeback to edge past UM-Damansara United 3–2 in a pulsating Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League encounter on 16 May 2026. The match, played under the lights at the UM Arena, saw the visitors overcome a two-goal deficit to snatch all three points thanks to a dramatic late winner.

Match Overview

Both sides entered the fixture looking to climb the early-season standings. UM-Damansara United, boosted by home support, started brightly and raced into a two-goal lead within the opening half-hour. However, Kedah FA responded with resilience, equalising before halftime and completing the turnaround in a frantic second period. The victory moved Kedah FA into the upper half of the league table, while UM-Damansara United were left to rue missed chances.

First Half: Home Dominance and Quick Strikes

UM-Damansara United controlled the early exchanges, pressing high and forcing errors from the Kedah defence. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when winger Mohd Syafiq cut inside from the left and curled a superb effort into the far corner. The home fans erupted, and their joy doubled just 10 minutes later. A well-worked corner routine ended with centre-back Amirul Hakim heading powerfully past the helpless Kedah goalkeeper.

At 2–0 down, Kedah FA looked shell‑shocked, but they gradually found their rhythm. A moment of individual brilliance from Fadhil Idris pulled one back in the 37th minute. The forward latched onto a long ball, shrugged off his marker, and rifled a left‑footed shot into the roof of the net. The goal gave Kedah momentum, and they struck again just before the break. A sweeping counter‑attack ended with Khairol Azhar slotting home from close range after a pinpoint cross from the right. The score was 2–2 at half‑time.

Second Half: Tense Battle and Late Decider

The second half saw both teams adopt a more cautious approach, wary of conceding the decisive third goal. UM-Damansara United pushed forward in search of a winner, with substitute Faiz Nasharuddin forcing a sharp save from the Kedah keeper in the 68th minute. At the other end, Kedah FA threatened on the break, but the home defence held firm.

Just as the match appeared destined for a draw, Kedah FA struck a killer blow in the 83rd minute. A quick free‑kick caught the UM-Damansara United defence off guard, and Syazwan Rosli swept the ball into the net from the edge of the box. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the travelling Kedah supporters. Despite five minutes of added time, the home side could not find an equaliser, and Kedah FA held on for a famous victory.

Key Performances and Tactical Notes

• Kedah FA’s resilience: Trailing 2–0 away from home, the visitors showed tremendous character to fight back. Manager Rosdi Talib switched to a 4‑3‑3 formation at half‑time, which gave his team more attacking width.
• UM-Damansara United’s vulnerability: The home side’s early dominance was undone by defensive lapses. Full‑backs were caught high up the pitch during Kedah’s counters, leaving gaps exploited ruthlessly.
• Man of the Match – Fadhil Idris: The Kedah FA forward scored the crucial first goal and was a constant threat with his pace and direct running.

Table Impact and What’s Next

The victory lifts Kedah FA to 4th place in the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League standings with 10 points from 5 matches, while UM-Damansara United drop to 9th with 6 points. Kedah FA will look to build on this momentum when they host Kuching City next weekend, while UM-Damansara United face a tough away trip to Negeri Sembilan II. This result serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the A1 Semi-Pro League, where no lead is safe and every point matters in the race for promotion.