KUALA SELANGOR, 10 January 2026 – USM FC created a magical moment last night when a dramatic goal was scored in the 95th minute to ensure a victory 2-1 over AAK Puncak Alam FC, simultaneously taking the team to the finals of the A2 Amateur League and to qualify for the A1 League in the 2026/2027 season.

Making the moment even prouder was, the success of USM FC sees it as the first team from Penang to pave the way to the A1 League, creating history in the state football annals.

The second semi-final match that took place at Stadium Utama Kuala Selangor was tense-filled when AAK Puncak Alam FC had earlier scored an opening goal via Sukri Hamid in the 74th minute, putting pressure on USM FC.

The fighting spirit of the USM FC team continued to push ahead, which led to an equalising goal by Aidil Danial, at the 88th minute, before Syazwi Suhaimi became the man of the moment, scoring the winning goal in the 95th minute, fully stomping the rise of the home team.

The success guarantees that USM FC will move into the finals with a 2-1 aggregate, in addition to ensuring an automatic slot into the A1 League next season, an achievement that had never been done by any club from Penang previously.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Registrar, who is also the President of USM FC, Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff, sees the success as part of the sacrifice and trust that is placed on the whole team.

“This is not merely a win, but a historic one for USM, USM FC, and Penang. The players displayed their winning spirit until the final whistle. The last-minute goal reflected the determined character of the team,” he said after the match had ended.

According to him, qualifying into the A1 League is a truly major achievement, although the focus of the team will now be to end the campaign successfully.

“We are grateful to qualify for the A1 League in the 2026/2027 season, but the mission is far from over. The final match against AZM Rovers FC would be the biggest challenge and we would like to end the season as champions,” he said.

USM FC is scheduled to play against AZM Rovers FC from Kelantan in the A2 Amateur League on 24 January 2026, with a clear aim — to end this historic season as champions.

Cheers of joy accompany the final whistle, indicating an epic and historic day that would be long remembered by the supporters of USM FC.

Original Text: Mohd Azrul Mohd Azhar/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin