Different aspirations

Elephants seek redemption, Giants out to end title drought

FA CUP FINAL (TODAY) SELANGOR vs PAHANG (National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, 9pm)

KUALA LUMPUR: It will be the first meeting between Selangor and Pahang in the 29th FA Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.

The Elephants will be looking for redemption after losing 3-2 to Kedah in the final last year while the Red Giants are out to end their nine-year wait to lift the FA Cup.

So who will win it this time?

Both teams settled for a 1-1 draw in their clash in the Super League on June 26 but both coaches believe that the Cup final is set to be a pulsating affair.

Pahang coach Dollah Salleh has warned his side of the danger posed by Selangor’s striker Rufino Segovia and veteran hitman Mohd Amri Yahyah.

The former international also said that they have gone through a gruelling path to reach the final by beating defending champions Kedah 1-0 in the third round and Super League leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) 3-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

“Segovia is the goal machine for Selangor at the moment while Amri is their magic man who can do wonders despite his age. We need to keep an eye on these two players,” said Dollah Salleh in the pre-match press conference yesterday.

“We beat strong teams like Kedah and JDT to reach the final so it will be a waste if we fail to win the final.”

Selangor coach Nazliazmi Mohd Nasir admitted that his side are the underdogs against the mighty Elephants.

“This is the first final for me. No one gave Selangor a chance of reaching the final but managed to do it with a young squad,” said Nazliazmi.

“We are up against a complete side like Pahang but we have youth on our side and I believe my players will be able to give them a good fight for the title.”

Pahang skipper Matthew Davies said his team will be using the disappointment from last year’s final as motivation.

“We are a better team now compared to last year and we are hungry to make amends for last year. Like the coach said we have beaten the stronger teams to reach the final so we have to make this chance count,” said the Perth-born player.

Selangor’s veteran skipper Amri, who is in line to pick up his fifth FA Cup title, said the team’s new blood are capable of making the difference in the match.

“I’m 37-years-old this year and at this stage I believe we need to play as a team. I don’t look at winning any personal accolades,” said Amri.