Trophy coveted by Kedah fans
IT took Kedah 47 years to reach the Malaysia Cup final again following their first appearance in 1940 which ended in a 2-0 defeat to Singapore.
Since then, Kedah have played in 11 finals in the last 30 years which points to how highly they regard the country’s oldest and most prestigious tournament.
Five-time winners of the competition, Kedah are looking to make the final for a third consecutive year after losing 2-0 to Selangor in 2015 before beating the same opponents on penalties last year.
Baddrol Bakhtiar, who has three winners’ medals from 2007, 2008 and 2016, stressed how important it is to Kedah fans for the team to be successful in the Malaysia Cup.
“For me, it would be nice to collect another winners’ medal but it means a lot to the people of Kedah,” said Baddrol as Kedah prepare to face Felda United in the semi-final, first leg in Jengka today.
Having beaten Pahang 3-2 in the FA Cup final this year, Kedah have a chance to win a Cup double and become the first team since Pahang in 2014 to achieve the feat.
It would also vindicate the decision by Kedah FA to hand Nidzam Adzha Yusoff the coaching job permanently after Tan Cheng Hoe left to become national team assistant coach.
Nidzam, however, has to figure out a way to overcome Felda at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium without suspended midfielder Liridon Krasniqi.
Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik could come into the side with Akram Mahinan taking on a more offensive role in midfield. Another option is to push Baddrol into the centre from his usual position on the right.
The offence will be led by Ken Ilso and Sandro Mendonca, who have scored five and six goals respectively in the Malaysia Cup, and should provide Felda defensive pair Shukor Adan and Dino Djulbic a stern test.
Ilso scored when the two teams last met on Sept 20 in a Super League match in Alor Star but Felda came out 3-1 winners although Kedah rested a few key local players.
Kedah are also on a fivematch winning streak in the Malaysia Cup, in stark contrast to their Super League form where they have lost three in a row. Devinder Singh