Perak out to end drought

Selangor and Singapore, Perak are the third most successful team in Malaysia Cup history and when they step onto the Shah Alam Stadium pitch today, they are looking at polishing their legacy with an eighth trophy.

It has been 18 years since Perak have lifted the Cup when they defeated Negri Sembilan 2-0 in the final and and against Terengganu this time, they are aiming to end that drought.

This season has been good for Perak and head coach Mehmet Durakovic with the club finishing runners-up in the league, and now they have the chance to cap the year with some silverware.

“A lot of my players are not very experienced. Only Leandro has won the Cup with me at Selangor while two or three others have experienced playing in the final. It will be a good experience for most of the players, their families and supporters,” said Durakovic in yesterday’s pre-match press conference.

Durakovic of course is a serial winner in this competition — having won it four times, three times as a player and once as a coach — all of which were with Selangor.

Perak had one day less rest compared to Terengganu as their second leg semi-final against Sabah was played 24 hours later than their opponents in the final. Furthermore, Perak had four players who were away with the Malaysia national team compared to none from Terengganu, and Durakovic is worried over their fitness.

“We came back from Sabah and a few of my players are injured and some were away with the national team. But I don’t want to give excuses, we are ready to go.

“We will try to play like we have all year and show everyone that Perak are a very good side. It’s a very big final for Perak, for myself and the players. We are going to enjoy it and may the best team win,” added Durakovic.

Expected to be without the injured club captain Nasir Basharudin for the final, Perak will be looking to rely on the fruitful attacking partnership of Wander Luiz and Gilmar Filho who have struck 12 goals between them in the competition.

The combative pairing of Brendan Gan and Leandro dos Santos provides the backbone in midfield for Perak and they will be working to nullify Terengganu’s threat up front.

Perak fans have waited 12 years to be in the final of the Malaysia Cup and they will be hoping that Gilmar and Co can evoke the memories of Khalid Jamlus and V. Saravanan from the last Perak team that lifted the trophy.

It’s a very big final for Perak, for myself and the players. We are going to enjoy it and may the best team win.

Perak head coach