Negri Sembilan coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah has hailed his men as true fighters for not losing their heads in prevailing over T-Team in a gruelling Malaysia Cup semi-final, second-leg tie at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi.
Azraai said their passage into the Malaysia Cup final was the result of “blood, sweat and pain”.
“Our opponents used dirty tactics against my players but I am glad my men listened to my advice and showed mental resilience and were not intimidated by their actions,” he said from Seremban yesterday.
“Winning the match is one thing but ensuring we get all our men in one piece for the final is another.
“The way the game was played I was worried that we could have lost some players on suspensions. They kicked and punched my boys and tried to intimidate us.
“Luckily my men kept their cool and were not provoked by our opponents. T-Team knew that they were chasing a lost cause and tried to provoke my players in the hope of getting them sent off and missing out on the final.
“I take my hats off to skipper Mohd Shukor Adan, Hairuddin Omar and the others for not falling into their trap.”
Seasoned campaigners Mohd Shukor and Hairuddin, who will be playing in their third consecutive Malaysia Cup final, were the target of the T-Team players, claimed Azraai.
On Saturday, Negri bounced back from a goal down to edge T-Team 2-1 and advance 6-3 on aggregate.
In the highly-charged match, T-Team had two players sent off – Norfazly Alias and Mohd Haris Safwan Kamal – for violent play in the second-half.
Mohd Fitri Omar put T-Team ahead before Negri bounced back with goals from Shahurain Abu Samah and Mohd Shukor.
No comments:
Post a Comment