Heartache for Hai-o as his Cup luck runs out

PETALING JAYA: It was a bitter pill to swallow for Armed Forces skipper Hairuddin Omar when his luck in the Malaysia Cup ran out at the Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday.

The former international had won all four of the Malaysia Cup finals he has played in but Super League and FA Cup winners Kelantan spoiled his party by denying him his fifth winner’s medal.

Hairuddin, nicknamed ‘Hai-O’, could not hide his disappointment after his team lost 3-2 to the Red Warriors after coming back twice from behind to force extra-time.

“I’m so disappointed as I’ve not lost a Malaysia Cup final before this. What saddens me most is that we gave everything we had in this final,” said Hairuddin.

“We should have kept our composure and stayed focused after equalising twice but we allowed Kelantan to score the winner.” Hairuddin had won the Malaysia Cup with Terengganu in 2001, Kelantan (2010) and Negri Sembilan (2009 and 2011). He also has the distinction of scoring in the last three Malaysia Cup finals that he played in.

The 33-year-old Hairuddin said he would take a break before deciding on whether to extend his contract, which ends next month.

“I will have a discussion with the management. They want to offer me an extension but I will have to look at the contract first,” he said.

“I’ve received offers from other teams but I’ll only decide after my break.”