KELANTAN Fahmi Jamaluddin - Nik Shahrul - Obinna - Zairul Subri - Badhri (c) - Shakir - Zamri Indra - Nwakaeme JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM Al-Hafiz Ramli - Tharmini - Kamarul - Nazri Ezrie - Safiq (c) - Andrezinho - Roya Nunez - Norshahrul The final of the 2013 Malaysian FA Cup final arguably could not have worked out better for neutral fans as a cracking game is in prospect with last year’s winners Kelantan taking on the new kids on the block, Johor Darul Takzim. With both sides set to lose out on the Super League title, this match takes on even greater importance in their seasons, as the losers will be looking at the very unwelcome prospect of a season without any silverware. For Kelantan, the treble winners of last season, it will be a chance to salvage what has been a slightly disappointing campaign for them. Perhaps expectations were raised too high after last season, and this, coupled with the large volume of fixtures and the losses of Azwan Roya, Mohammed Ghaddar and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, have all contributed to their lacklustre defence of the league title. If coach Bojan Hodak is unable to capture any of the five trophies available to his this season, then it would be difficult to see him staying at Kota Bharu into next season. Despite a number of troubles in 2013, Kelantan are certainly hitting form at the right time. Their last two fixtures have seen victories over Terengganu (4-0) and Pahang (2-0), with goals spread throughout the team. In their midweek victory over Pahang, Hodak even had the luxury of resting star players Indra Putra Mahayuddin and Dickson Nwakaeme; with captain Badhri Radzi once again the star performer. With few injury concerns, and much experience in cup finals, it is of little surprise that the Red Warriors are confident heading into this game with Hodak telling Goal, “We had the upper hand when playing in the final for four years in a row and I believe the players are ready.” As for Johor, things are slightly less rosy in their camp, with manager Fandi Ahmad getting increasingly frustrated as his team falters. The words by Bojan Hodak that “Darul Takzim are not playing their best football at the moment, they have virtually lost the league title and are mentally affected by it, the pressure is on them”; seem to be ringing true. After their massive spending spree this year the expectation is on instant success, something Ahmad seems to be more than aware of as he lashed out at his players after their recent 1-1 draw with lowly Felda United. Ahmad accused his players of lacking determination, being too complacent and not having the right mentality to win; hardly ideal preparation for the weekends final. Despite all this, the Johor coach told Goal that he is “more worried about the players that we might miss for this match,” with key defender Aidil Zafuan suspended and Safee Sali, Safiq Rahim and Andrezinho all carrying knocks. However to their credit, one thing Johor have displayed this season, especially in the FA Cup, is a never- say-die attitude. Against Kedah and Selangor they looked dead and buried, only to win via penalties, and in the semi-final against Pahang they showed great resilience to progress on away goals. With such an spirit, and undoubted quality in players such as Azwan Roya, Norshahrul, Andrezinho and Leonel Núñez, it would be foolish to write them off before this game.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 06:42:11 +0000
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