KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor FC head coach Tan Cheng Hoe believes his men will be entering their Malaysia Cup final clash with Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) tomorrow as the underdogs.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference today at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Tan said JDT have dominated Malaysian football in recent years and proven they are a force to be reckoned with.
JDT have won the Super League again this year, making it their ninth consecutive title since 2014, and also won the FA Cup in September after beating Terengganu FC 3-1.
Even though Tan has experience with some of the JDT players during his four years as head coach of the national team, he said it would not translate to an advantage for Selangor.
“Even though I understand the strength of the players, it does not guarantee I know how the team is going to play or that Selangor will win. I always tell my players that individual performance is what is important,” he said.
He said the experience some JDT players have working with him in the national set-up could also prove to be a weakness, as they would be able to decode the 54-year-old’s tactics and hamper Selangor’s hopes of winning their 34th Malaysia Cup.
The Red Giants’ captain Shahrul Nazeem Zulpakar said the team was excited to be in the final again, as they have gone through a dry spell since their last major tournament win in 2015 when they brought home the Malaysia Cup.
“This is the best time for the players to show their talent and win the cup. We have not won any championships for quite a while. I hope all of them give their best performance tomorrow,” he said.
In 2016, Selangor came close to winning the Malaysia Cup again, but was denied by Kedah which was led by Tan at the time. Kedah won 6-5 on penalties after the score ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Meanwhile, JDT will be aiming to win their fourth title this year, as they have been sweeping up accolades in the Malaysian football scene.
They clinched the Sumbangsih Cup against Kuala Lumpur City FC (KL City) in February, winning the match 3-0. They also won the FA Cup after defeating Terengganu 3-1 and claimed their ninth straight Super League victory.
JDT head coach Hector Bidoglio said a win tomorrow would mean a lot to the club as well as for the people of Johor.
“It is a very important achievement for all at JDT, the boss, players, and fans to be able to win four cups in one year.
“We will take full responsibility and give everything on the pitch to win the trophy for JDT,” he said.
When asked on JDT’s performance since taking over the club from Benjamin Mora in July, Bidoglio said the team have been up to the mark.
“I am very happy because the team have been playing well and I am happy for the players as well.
“But a coach is never completely happy. I always want to improve the team and for them to grow. But for now, I am grateful that when I speak and advise players, they understand what I am saying and keep pushing harder,” he said.
JDT captain and goalkeeper Farizal Marlias said the team was motivated to win the cup after they lost last year’s final to KL City
“We don’t want the past to repeat itself. So now the players are all ready and motivated,” he said.
For the match tomorrow at 9pm, authorities have said they will ramp up security at Bukit Jalil National Stadium as around 80,000 fans are expected to fill the venue. – The Vibes, November 25, 2022
