Terengganu banking on high confidence to lift Cup
are aiming for only their second Malaysia Cup trophy after collecting their first in 2001, coincidentally against Perak. In head coach Irfan Bakti, they also have the leader who took them to their last final in 2011.
This time, confidence is running high in the team as Terengganu have managed to knock out arguably the strongest team in the competition, when they triumphed 3-2 on aggregate against Johor Darul Ta’zim in the semi-finals.
Irfan hopes that the experience gained by his team in emerging victorious in the double header against JDT will be use to great effect against Terengganu today at Shah Alam Stadium.
“This is our third final after our ‘first two’ in the semi-final against JDT because of how strong they are.”
“We are doing the usual preparation, there are no injury concerns, so all players will be available for selection,” said Irfan in the pre-match press conference.
From the Terengganu team who last appeared in the final seven years ago against Negri Sembilan, only attacker Ashaari Samsudin remained in the team, which leaves the squad lacking experience of playing on the biggest stage.
In the four matches played between Terengganu and Perak this season, they had both won once at home and once away with the two teams having come through Group A of the Malaysia Cup on top of the league matches.
“Perak and us are equal, we’ve beaten them twice and they have beaten us twice. It’s 2-2 now which means there are no favourites for the final. Whoever make the least mistakes and take their chances, will be the winner,” added Irfan.
In captain Tchetche Kipre and Lee Tuck, Irfan has two players in great form, with both players tied on seven goals a piece, one behind competition’s top scorer in Kuala Lumpur’s Guilherme de Paula.
With Thierry Chanta Bin and Igor Zonjic manning the midfield and defence respectively, there’s a good spine in the Terengganu side.
So, the biggest stage is set for the closing party of the 2018 Malaysian football season with Irfan and Terengganu hoping that they can once again trump Perak in the Malaysia Cup final.
It’s 2-2 now which means there are no favourites for the final. Whoever make the least mistakes and take their chances, will be the winner.
Terengganu head coach