It was an ugly final, admits Kelantan coach Hodak

KUALA LUMPUR: Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak admitted that it was an ugly final as his side lifted the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Sime Darby at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.

The star studded Red Warriors finally won the FA Cup after faltering in the finals in 2009 and 2011 with a controversial penalty scored by Mohd Ghaddar in the 58th minute.

Hodak, who took over Kelantan two months ago, said that the team’s play was not nice to watch but nevertheless effective.

“It was an ugly final but most finals in the world are ugly with the teams being careful and playing a tactical game,” said Hodak.

“It was not nice to watch but I’m more than happy with the win.

It was an ugly final but most finals in the world are ugly with the teams being careful and playing a tactical game.

—BOJAN HODAK

They (Sime Darby) ‘parked the bus’ with 10 players behind the ball and made it hard for us to get the goals.”

Sime Darby coach Ismail Zakaria hailed his players’ tireless and tigerish performance in the narrow defeat.

Ismail also said that the penalty given by referee Suhaizi Shukri was questionable.

“The team played well until we conceded a goal from a questionable penalty but the decision was made and we have to accept it,” said Ismail.

“I’m happy with my players’ performance in our first final and they played according to our game plan. We tried to fight back after the goal but we just couldn’t finish off our moves.

“My players managed to step up and give a fight to the Super League champions.

“We will now work on improving our position in the Premier League and try to qualify for the Malaysia Cup.”