Negeri Sembilan captain Taylor Regan has earned praise from opponents and his head coach after turning in an impressive performance in central midfield, as the second-tier side held 2015 finalists Kedah to a 0-0 draw in their Malaysia Cup quarterfinal on Sunday night.
Regan is usually a centre-back, and was only playing his second game for Negeri in the middle of the park because of the unavailability of several key players. He was also battling with a hamstring injury.
But the 28-year-old former A-League defender didn't look out of place, as internationals like Liridon Krasniqi and Shane Smeltz were kept quiet in Paroi.
"Taylor did well," New Zealand international striker Smeltz told ESPN FC. "It was tough for him because he was the only foreign player on the field for them."
Negeri Sembilan head coach Gary Phillips said that Regan's experience helped the Premier League side get through a tough night, with import players Alex Smith and Goran Jerkovic missing. Ex-Brisbane Roar attacker Henrique has already returned to Australia after flopping in his 10-game spell at the club.
"Taylor hadn't trained for two weeks because of his hamstring, but was massive in the middle of the park," Phillips said. "He showed great leadership and organisational skills to hold us together."
Negeri Sembilan will be outsiders when they travel to Alor Star for the second leg on Sept. 17, but Regan is hopeful that the Seremban-based side can keep their fairytale run going, even though Smeltz and co. are more difficult to keep quiet in front of their home fans.
"I have played against 'Smeltzy' a few times in my career and I know how dangerous he is," Regan said. "To keep a clean sheet against a top Super League team, with players like Shane in their line up, was another good result for our boys, but the return leg will be tough.
"We know we have to match the attitude of last night. But, with a couple of foreign and local players returning from injury, we can expect to create some more chances."
Smith should be back from a broken nose, while Jerkovic will be available for selection again after taking time off to support his wife, who gave birth to their first child.
Phillips added: "The result will give us great confidence for the return leg against Kedah, knowing that we can compete with teams of their status."
Despite their impressive Cup run with victories over MSL sides Felda United and Terengganu, in addition to Sunday's draw with Kedah, Negeri Sembilan are only fifth in the 12-team Malaysia Premier League.
Kedah made it to the 2015 Malaysia Cup final before losing 2-0 to Selangor at Shah Alam Stadium last December.