THREE-PAGE FA CUP FINAL SPECIAL
● Coaches play mind games ● Davies can make history ● Chance for Nidzam to impress the bosses
PAHANG skipper Matthew Davies could well make history if his side lift the FA Cup today.
Should Pahang win, the Australiaborn Davies will become the youngest captain to lift the FA Cup at the age of 22 years and 102 days.
But Davies does not want the spotlight to be on him when the Elephants take on Kedah in the final at the Shah Alam Stadium tonight.
Davies, who has been with Pahang since 2015 and became their skipper last year, said he would draw from his experience with the national team as he seeks to guide the Elephants to victory.
“I may be the youngest captain in the M-League but I have experience ... having played with the national senior team,” said Davies in the prematch press conference yesterday.
“I’m a bit nervous about the final, but that’s normal before any big game. I’ll be all right when the game starts.
“If we win, I will be creating history ... but I don't want to steal the spotlight.
“Last season, we struggled with relegation. This time, we’ve had a change of fortune and are just a step away from Cup glory.
“I really hope we can go all the way and win it.”
That’s also what Kedah skipper Khairul Helmi Johari, who will be making his third FA Cup final appearance, is hoping for.
Khairul was on the bench when the Red Eagles won it in 2008. In 2010, he was in the team who were beaten by Negri Sembilan in a penalty shootout after both teams were tied 1-1 after extra time.
“We have the edge in terms of experience ... this is our third Cup final in three years. But we cannot take Pahang lightly because they are a good team,” said the 29-yearold Khairul.
“We beat Pahang in the Super League, but that was a different game and it’s in the past. We are in the final now and we want to win but it won’t be easy.”