KUALA LUMPUR − Malaysia Cup 2021 Man of the Match Zhafri Yahya described winning Malaysian football’s most prestigious trophy with Kuala Lumpur City FC (KL City) as the greatest success so far in his career.
“I have been with Kuala Lumpur for six years (and) this is the highest achievement I have had, and I am really grateful to the coach (Bojan Hodak) because he identified the position that I like.
“I may have missed two chances (during the Malaysia Cup final) but in the end, I got one that I really did not want to let go. The first goal gave encouragement to the team and being the underdogs, we tried to focus for 90min not to lose to JDT (Johor Darul Ta’zim),” said the 27-year-old winger, who hails from Klang, Selangor.
He said this at a press conference after the Malaysia Cup final, which saw KL City beat defending champions JDT 2-0 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Zhafri has been with the former Kuala Lumpur FA – now known as KL City after privatisation of the Malaysia League clubs − since he was loaned out from Selangor six seasons ago, which saw the City Boys go through a period of being promoted to and relegated from the Super League.
Zhafri’s goal in the 66th minute broke the deadlock in the final of the 100th anniversary of the Malaysia Cup before team captain Paulo Josue doubled the lead in the 74th minute to create a glorious night for KL City, which ended a 32-year wait to clinch the prestigious trophy.
The last time Kuala Lumpur won the Malaysia Cup was in 1989, whereby they created a hattrick by also winning it in 1987 and 1988.
Zhafri said the plus factor that became KL City’s strength to win the tournament is the family spirit that exists among the players and team officials.
“From the management, players, seniors and juniors, all are indeed of ‘one heart’. We are really like a family − we not only listen to the instructions of the coaches but from the senior players as well. We try to analyse matches and (figure out) how to play against the next opponent,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zhafri confirmed that he will remain with KL City next season. – Bernama, December 1, 2021
