Fight for the Cup
Southern Tigers and Red Eagles aim to end year with a bang
(From left) Kedah skipper Khairul Helmi Johari and head coach Nidzam Adzha Yusoff posing with the Malaysia Cup trophy with Johor Darul Ta’zim coach Ulisses Morais and captain Safiq Rahim during the pre-match press conference at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday.
PETALING JAYA: Super League champions Johor Darul Tazim (JDT) and FA Cup winners Kedah will be looking to cap the year with a double when they meet in today’s Malaysia Cup final at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Five-time winners Kedah are in the final for a third consecutive year. They lost 2-0 to Selangor in 2015 before beating the same opponents on penalties last year.
JDT last featured in the Malaysia Cup final in 2014, losing 5-3 to Pahang in a penalty shootout.
The Southern Tigers, who had previously dismissed the importance of Malaysia Cup, are looking to clinch it for the first time and complete their trophy collection.
The Red Eagles, who defeated JDT to capture the first silverware of the season – the Charity Shield in January – hold a slight psychological advantage over the Southern Tigers in the final.
JDT are still without Marcos Antonio (knee injury). So, Fadhli Shas or Junior Eldstal will play alongside the seasoned Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak in the heart of defence.
Kedah will welcome back skipper Khairul Helmi Johari and Kosovan playmaker Liridon Krasniqi, who was suspended for the second leg of the semi-final against Felda United on Oct 21.
Both teams also rested a number of firstteam players when they eked out a 0-0 draw in the final Super League match on Oct 28.
That is proof of how seriously both teams are taking the Malaysia Cup final.
Kedah coach Nidzam Adzha Yusoff, who came in as replacement for Tan Cheng Hoe in mid-season, proved his capabilities by helping them win the FA Cup (edging Pahang 3-2) in May.
The former international said they would try to exploit the absence of Antonio in the JDT backline and, at the same time, hope that the Shah Alam Stadium will continue to be their happy hunting ground.
“JDT have a very well-balanced side. They are very good in attack and they also have very good individual players,” said Nidzam in prematch press conference yesterday.
“We know they will be without Antonio. So, that might be their weak link.
“We will try to capitalise on it but we are also aware that they have a strong midfield and attack, so we need to tread carefully.
“We’ve played three Cup finals at the Shah Alam Stadium and won the last two. I hope our luck continues here.
“But I also know that we will have to work hard tomorrow (today).”
JDT coach Ulisses Morais, meanwhile, has got his men ready to last the distance.
“I’m confident of my players’ abilities. They are in the best shape for the final and are also prepared go all the way to the penalty shootout,” said Morais.
“Both finalists are good, so I expect an exciting match. I hope we can play good football.
“The last time we played against Kedah it ended in a draw. But this is going to be a different game. This is a Cup final. It will be a difficult game against a good team.”