Malaysia Cup: Gallant Elephants crush Tigers

Despite one man down from the 69th minute, Pahang showed the stuff champions are made of when they defeated Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) 5-3 in a penalty shootout to retain their Malaysia Cup title in
the final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here tonight.

Playing before a capacity crowd of 90,000 fans and an electrifying “final” atmosphere, both teams were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation play and after 30 minutes of extra time.

Tonight’s victory is the fourth time The Elephants lifted the Cup after 1983, 1992 and 2013 and not only that, they earned a “double” this season, having won the FA Cup earlier.

Both teams went into “full throttle” as soon as referee Nagor Amir Noor Mohamed blew the starting whistle but it was Pahang who drew first blew when their Nigerian import Dickson Nwakaeme scored as early as the 15th minute.
Dickson’ header off a spot kick taken by Azidan Sarudin sailed past JDT keeper Muhd Al-Hafiz Hamzah into goal. Stunned by the deficit, star-studded JDT reorganised their attacks and it paid dividends when Argentinian import Jorge Pereyra Diaz found the equaliser in the 31st minute.

JDT doubled the score three minutes later through a penalty kick which was converted another import player, Luciano Figueroa.

Nagor Amir awarded the penalty to the Southern Tigers after Pahang captain Mohd Razman Roslan was said to have handled the ball in preventing Luciano from shooting at the Pahang goal in the penalty box.

In the second half, Pahang were seen to be having the upper-hand but their attacks were deflected by JDT’s defenders marshalled by their Brazilian import,Marcos Antonio Santos.

Pahang were forced to play with 10 men from the 69th minute after their defender Mohd Saiful Nizam Miswan was given the marching orders for punching Mohd Amri Yahyah in the abdomen.

However, that did not affect the “hunger” of the Pahang players in chasing for the equaliser because just two minutes later, the Pahang strikers beat an offside trap set by JDT which allowed Dickson to earn his brace.

Thereafter, JDT tried to go for the jugular while the Elephants made their own forays in search of victory but the 2-2 score stood right up to end of regulation play and 30 minutes of extra time, forcing the lottery.

In the penalty shoot-out, the five penalties by Pahang were converted by Mohd Razman, Damion Delano Stewart, Mohd Shahrizan Mohd Salleh, Zeshan Rehman and Mohd Hafiz Kamal.

Luciano, Diaz and Hariss Harun were on the mark for JDT but Pahang keeper Mohd Khairul Azhan Mohd Khalid saved the shot taken by Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.

However, it was not all gloom for JDT as their captain Safiq Rahim was named Man-of-the-Match.

Deputy Prime Minster Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin handed the Malaysia Cup trophy to Mohd Razman.

Also present to witness the “clasico’ were FA of Pahang president Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah, FA of Johor president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim,

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Pahang coach Zainal Abidin Hassan was all praise for the fighting spirit shown by his boys.

“Tonight’s victory is not due to luck, but because of their burning desire to win against all odds,” he said.

He also took to task Nagor Amir alleging that the referee was biased against Pahang including in deciding to send off Mohd Saiful Nizam which resulted in Pahang having to go on “defensive mode” for long periods of time.

Meanwhile, JDT Head Coach, Bojan Hodak said luck was not on his side to win the match despite being in control for most parts, especially in the second half.
“Statistically, we dominated the game but it was unlucky for us as our players hit Pahang’s goal post twice…Overall, I’m quite happy with my players and we need to focus on the preparations for next season,” said the 43-year Croatian.

-therakyatpost