M’sia Cup final most challenging in M-League career: KL City coach

KUALA LUMPUR − Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC head coach Bojan Hodak had described his team’s Malaysia Cup final against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) last night as the most challenging task ever in his career in the Malaysia League (M-League).

The Croatian said that this was because his KL City team only had the services of two national players − D. Kenny Pallraj and Muhammad Akram Mahinan − unlike when he guided Kelantan to the title in 2012 and took JDT to the final in the 2014 edition.

However, Hodak, 50, said the spirit of togetherness among the KL City players was key to their impressive unbeaten run in the Malaysia Cup competition, which culminated with them being crowned champions after defeating JDT 2-0 at the national stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.

“Literally, we had only two national players, but this is a hardworking team and − of all the teams I’ve coached in my career − we (KL City FC) have a fantastic atmosphere in the dressing room.

“I didn’t have this at any (of the other) clubs before. When you have this kind of atmosphere, you know you can do something,” he said at the post-match press conference. 

Last night’s win allowed KL City FC to create their own history by ending a 32-year long wait for the coveted Malaysia Cup and deny the Southern Tigers the chance to defend the trophy they won in 2019.

Midfielder Zhafri Yahya and skipper Paulo Josue became KL City heroes when they scored in the 66th and 74th minute respectively.

Meanwhile, JDT head coach Benjamin Mora admitted that it was a difficult result to take.

However, he defended his team’s tactics and praised his men for not giving up until the final whistle.

“We are not satisfied with the result. We came to win and to be champions of Malaysia Cup (again) but we came up short. We couldn’t find the route, the right spaces to develop our game.

“We know that our game is to create chances, trying to generate possibilities, trying to find a way, and it’s more difficult than just sitting back, but KL did a good job. They sat back... no pressing, just waiting… trying to close the spaces, and they did well,” he said. – Bernama, December 1, 2021