Negeri Sembilan FC were held to a 0–0 draw by Imigresen FC in the first-leg encounter of the Malaysia Cup at Stadium Negeri Pulau Pinang earlier today.

Nicknamed The Jangs, Negeri Sembilan entered the match as favourites and asserted control from the opening whistle. The visitors dominated possession and created a series of attacking moves through Takumi Sasaki, Khuzaimi Piee, Joseph Esso and Mio Tsuneyasu, but were unable to find a way past the disciplined home defence.

Imigresen nearly stunned the visitors when Wilmar Jordan Gil found the back of the net in the 38th minute. However, celebrations were cut short after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review ruled the effort out for offside.

The hosts came close again after the break, with Fadzrul Danel Nizam testing Negeri Sembilan goalkeeper Muhammad Aqil Abd Razak in the 63rd minute. Aqil reacted superbly to push the low drive away and keep his side level.

Negeri Sembilan responded by raising the tempo in the final 20 minutes, introducing substitutes N. Javabilaarivin and Oday Kharoub in search of a breakthrough. Despite sustained pressure, the decisive goal remained elusive.

Imigresen also endured moments of misfortune, with Elvis Kamsoba seeing his boot come off during a goal attempt, while Eduardo Sosa was forced off after reportedly suffering a rib injury.

The scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman on 25 January.