Goalless 90 minutes led to an extension in the quarterfinal against Elfsborg at home at Eleda Stadium. Then substitute Isaac Kiese Thelin made the decisive goal in the hot meeting. The former Allsvenskan top scorer stepped forward and scored the penalty kick and the winning goal (1–0).
Malmö FF had most of the best during regular match time, but lacked offensive edge against a defensively strong Elfsborg.
One player stood out during the first half – Emmanuel Ekong, MFF's winter recruit from Empoli in the Italian Serie A. He was a constant threat on his right flank in his third match from start in his new club.
The 22-year-old, who was trained by BP, left Sweden already at the age of 15 and has his Allsvenskan debut to look forward to soon.
Elfsborg's experienced left-back Niklas Hult had a hard time keeping up with the twists and turns.
I feel that I had the upper hand, but we haven't really gotten into our game, says Ekong in the halftime interview with TV4 play.
Anders Christiansen's forward pass could have been utilized better by Erik Botheim. The Norwegian's lame shot was easily parried by Isak Pettersson. Next time Christiansen stormed forward centrally, the Dane shot himself. Pettersson showed his class and pushed it away to the corner.
Taha Ali came on for Ekong halfway through the second half. It was Ali who fixed the penalty in the extension, when he was tripped by Ludvig Richtnér.
Malmö FF is the reigning cup champion after the penalty shootout win in the final against Djurgården last year.
In the other semifinal this weekend, Häcken will host IFK Norrköping.
The final will be played on May 29.
