A battle of wits
Intriguing game in store as wily coaches face off
PETALINGJAYA: Formbooks are mostly pointless when it comes to Cup showdowns.
How many times have we seen the underdogs pull the rug from under the red-hot favourites. But that’s the allure of Cup finals. And it is no different when Premier League (the second tier) champions Armed Forces face treble-chasing Super League (the top tier) champions Kelantan in the Malaysia Cup final at the Shah Alam Stadium today.
Armed Forces, once the whipping boys of Malaysian football, are a transformed side these days and on the verge of taking home the coveted silverware for the first time in 91 years.
Kelantan, meanwhile, will want to firmly establish themselves as the new powerhouse when they feature in their sixth Cup final since 2009.
Yes, the Red Warriors bear all the hallmarks of a true champion – having won the FA Cup and Super League title so far this year.
But the soldiers have had a remarkable year, thus far, too. And have capped their meteoric rise by marching into the final against all odds.
Many wrote off their chances when they were drawn in the “Group of Death” in the preliminary round with three Super League sides – Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
But coach B. Sathianathan’s men are made of sterner stuff and do not capitulate or surrender without a fight. And fight they did to emerge unscathed from the group and then annihilate defending champions Negri Sembilan in the last eight and Singapore’s Lions XII in the semis.
So, can Forces go on to emulate the Malaysia Cup success of Division Two outfits Selangor MPPJ in 2003? Then, Argentine Juan Manuel Arostegui stole the thunder by scoring a hattrick as MPPJ turned the tables on Division One side Sabah 3-0.
Well, this Forces squad can count on two such players – the enigmatic Marlon Alex James and talismanic Hairuddin Omar.
And let’s not forget that Bruno Martelotto – amember of that victorious MPPJ squad – is with them too.
In fact, all three have won the Cup before. James was in the back-to-back treble winning squad of Kedah (200708) while ‘Hai O’ is clearly the lucky charm – going for his fourth straight champion’s medal after winning it with Negri Sembilan (2009, 2011) and Kelantan (2010).
Can the soldiers go one better than their compatriots in the HMS Malaya Cup 46 years ago (1966)? Hairuddin certainly feels so. “There is something special about this Forces team under Sathianathan this year. I have a real good feeling and I am proud to say that I have even decided in advance to show my loyalty by staying with them for good,” said the 33-year-old former national striker. But he was quick to point out that both teams “do have match winners”.
“This is not about personal glory. Of course, it feel goods to be in the winning team and that makes us, the players, real special going into the final,” he said.
“I have been with many teams but Forces are the best – in terms of management and running of the team,” added the 2011 Malaysia Cup final hero when he scored a spectacular scissor-kick goal in Negri’s 2-1 win over Terengganu.
On paper, Kelantan look unbeatable. The Red Warriors, who also qualified for the AFC Cup quarter-finals, proved their might by getting past Felda United FC and 32-time winners Selangor in the knock-out stages.
Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak will be hoping to become the second coach after Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah to win the treble.
Judging by their power-packed performances so far this season, they look formidable. If there is any chink in their armour, then it would be in attack as they will be without top hitman Mohd Ghaddar Mahmoud and attacking midfielder Mohd Norfarhan Mohd, who are both suspended.
But try telling that to team manager Azman Ibrahim.
He certainly feels that the duo’s absence won’t affect the team.
“Football is a team game and that’s what they have been doing – playing a good team game. We have a proven record but we will not under-rate our opponents,” said Azman.
Kelantan’s most probable matchwinner will be skipper Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who was named the MVP and best striker at the national football awards last year.
And the Red Warriors can also count on hard-working midfielder Mohd Badhri Radzi who, if you care to remember, scored the winning goal (2-1) against Negri Sembilan in 2010. So, who will win it today? Your guess is as good as mine.