Negeri Sembilan hoping their key striker will keep on scoring

Many have heard of the X-Factor. But the Hai-O factor?

Well, that was what Negri Sembilan relied on to beat T-Team 4-2 in the Malaysia Cup semi-final, first-leg tie at the Sultan Ismail Stadium here on Tuesday.

For the uninitiated, that’s what former national striker Hairuddin Omar is known as among Negri players and fans.

And it was the 32-year-old Hairuddin who put up a masterclass performance against his former team. Not only was he the focal point of Negri’s attacking moves, he also bagged a brace to be the team’s top scorer in the competition with seven goals.

But Negri coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah believes there is more to come from Hairuddin.

“The positive impact he had on the team and the game against T-Team is undeniable. He is an inspiration to his team-mates and struck fear in our opponents,” he said.

Azraai was also pleased with the goal-scoring form of a player many had labelled as “over the hill”.

The 4-2 first leg win has boosted Negri’s chances of making it to the final for the third year in a row.

“There is another 90 minutes to go on Saturday. I actually planned to steal a point from the first leg. Instead, we got all three. And the four away goals are a bonus as well,” said Azraai.

Negri, last year’s losing finalists, got their goals through Shahurain Abu Samah (sixth minute), Hairuddin (25th, 42nd) and S. Kunalan (50th) while T-Team replied through Indra Putra Mahayuddin (11th) and Mohd Norfarhan Mohd (40th).

Even T-Team coach Yunus Alif admitted that his players, especially goalkeeper Mohd Zairi Hafiezi Idris, “were terrified of Hairuddin”.

“I think our goalkeeper may have been star-struck … he should have saved both of Hairuddin’s goals. I had told my men to mark Hairuddin but they seemed scared of him and that proved to be our undoing,” he said.

Yunus also conceded that his younger players may have suffered stage fright.

“It is still possible for us to overturn the deficit in the return leg. Who knows, maybe Negri may take it easy,” he said.

Negri will host the return leg at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Saturday.