Kedah’s Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (centre with scarf) poses with the FA Cup-winning team on Saturday. — Pic: HASAN ISMAIL
IT was one of the better FA Cup finals in recent years as the title match between Kedah and Selangor on Saturday had speed, aggression and flashes of good football.
And Kedah proved they are still the team to beat. Kedah, who retained the Malaysian Super League (MSL) title earlier in the season, edged Selangor 3-2 at the Shah Alam Stadium to claim the trophy, and coach Azraai Khor was quick to say that Kedah’s target is to now defend the Malaysia Cup.
And if they do retain the Malaysia Cup, Kedah will be the first team in Malaysian football to have won the treble back-to-back.
Kedah’s string of successes is largely attributed to their young players who have matured to play in the senior team.
On Saturday, Azraai fielded six under-21 players. “It was a great final with both teams playing their hearts out,” said Azraai after the match. “I am proud of my players who played to the game plan and attacked and defended well.”
Azraai added: “We now need to start preparing for the Malaysia Cup. I am positive this win is another motivating factor for the players and the team.”
Kedah are away to Penang in a Group B Malaysia Cup match which will be played at Batu Kawan Stadium tomorrow.
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