Bury the 2001 ghost
Ex-Perak coach Karathu recalls pain of losing 17 years ago
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Perak coach M. Karathu can’t forget the day when his influential centreback Syamsul Saad injured himself and was ruled out of the 2001 Malaysia Cup final against Terengganu.
Perak lost the services of Syamsul after he injured his knee while training a day before the match.
And the Seladang lost to Terengganu 2-1 in the final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
That was the last time both teams met in the final of the Malaysia Cup.
And after 17 years, both teams will lock horns again at the Shah Alam Stadium tomorrow and the Silver State are out for revenge.
The 75-year-old Karathu said losing Syamsul in the final was a setback to his team.
“That was in the past and I’m expecting an interesting final between these two teams,” said the former national coach.
“Terengganu look impressive as they beat Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim (3-2) on aggregate in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup.
“They also have good foreign players to give Perak a strong challenge in the final.”
The East Coast team are powered by French-born Cambodian player Thierry Chantha Bin of France, Lee Tuck of England, captain Kipre Tchetche of Ivory Coast and Serbia’s Igor Zonjic.
Karathu added that Perak were no pushovers as they proved it by outplaying Sabah (7-2 on aggregate) in the semi-finals.
“Perak are aiming to get the better of Terengganu in this final. I hope we will see the best from both teams in the final,” said Karathu.
The Malaysia Cup was inaugurated in 1921 and Perak have won the tournament seven times in 11 finals while Terengganu have qualified for the final four times but won only once in 2001.