Selangor fancy their chances ahead of final
SELANGOR coach Omar Ali is confident his team are capable of ending a nine-year drought and lift the President’s Cup after reaching the final against Terengganu.
Victory on the away goals rule against favourites Kedah in the semi-finals in Alor Star on Friday set up a meeting with Terengganu, who also overcame defending champions Kelantan on away goals, on Oct 12 and 19 in Selayang and Kuala Terengganu respectively.
Omar said his team are playing well by creating many scoring chances although the lack of finishing touch remains a problem.
“We should have won the second leg against Kedah based on the amount of chances we created,” said Omar, referring to the 1-1 draw at the Darulaman Stadium which followed a 0-0 stalemate in the first leg in Selayang on Oct 2.
“Although the game ended in a draw, it was good enough for us to reach the final and I’m happy with that.”
Omar included three players from the senior side - Syahmi Safari, K. Kannan and A. Namathevan - in the semi-finals and the move paid off.
“They made a great deal of difference with their experience of having played in the Super League,” said Omar. “The fact that most of the players graduated from the Under-19 team who won the Youth Cup in 2015, is also a major factor in our run to the final.”
Suhaimie Saad gave Kedah, who fielded Super League trio Farhan Roslan, Ariff Farhan Isa and Akhyar Rashid in their side, a 15th minute lead but Faizuddin Abidin equalised five minutes later.
National captain Safiq Rahim scored the winner in a 1-0 win over Perak in the 2008 final when Selangor lifted the Under-21 trophy for a fourth time.
“Our target this season is to get to the final but now we want to go and win the trophy after nine years,” said Omar. “Of course Terengganu are a good side as well but we are confident in our ability.”
Two goals by Haidhir Suhaini in three minutes midway through the second half saw Terengganu hold Kelantan 2-2 in the second leg in Kota Baru after the first match in Kuala Terengganu on Oct ended 1-1.
Nik Azli Nik Alias opened the scoring for Kelantan in the 67th minute but Haidhir struck two quick goals in the 72nd and 74th to put Terengganu in the driving seat although Danial Ashraf Abdullah’s equaliser three minutes from time set up a nervy finale. Devinder Singh