It is a Terengganu-Negri Sembilan final.
Both teams will meet for the first time in a final of the Malaysia Cup in 90 years.
Last night, Terengganu defeated Selangor 2-1 in the return-leg of the semi-finals at the Sultan Ismail Stadium in Kuala Terengganu and advanced 4-1 on aggregate. In Paroi, Negri clinched their ticket after they edged T-Team 2-1 at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium. The Deer advanced 6-3 on aggregate.
It was massive celebrations in Kuala Terengganu and Paroi as the home fans came out in full force to lend moral support. Terengganu are now eager to lay their hands on the coveted Malaysia Cup after 10 long years (2001) while Negri will be trooping out for their third consecutive final at the Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday.
In Kuala Terengganu, Abdul Manaf Mamat killed off Selangor’s challenge after scoring an early goal in the 20th minute before Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin rounded up the night with a brilliant half-volley strike from outside the box, which beat Selangor custodian G. Jeevanthan in the 72nd minute. Safiq Rahim scored the consolation goal for Selangor in the 88th minute
It was sheer frustration for the Red Giants as their quest for a 33rd title went up in smoke. Their season will end trophyless. But last night, they gave everything in the match but they simply could not breach the Terengganu defence marshalled by skipper Mazuki Yusof and in-form goalkeeper Mohd Sharbinee Allawee.
Selangor coach P. Maniam fielded all his attacking players – Mohd Fadli Saari, Rudie Ramli, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal, Safiq Rahim and Mohd Shazwan Fitri – but there was no breakthrough.
It was a balanced first half with Selangor nearly going in front in the 10th minute through Fadli Saari but he was ruled offside. Terengganu then mounted their own attack with Ashaari coming close twice and Joseph Kallang Tie hitting the woodwork.
The home crowd had to wait until the 20th minute for a goal when Abdul Manaf side-stepped two Selangor defenders to score.
The Red Giants nearly equalised in the 25th minute but Terengganu custodian Mohd Sharbinee stopped Shazwan’s close range shot.
Ashaari virtually sent Terengganu to the final by scoring the Turtles’ second goal in the 72nd minute with a thunderous shot from the edge of the penalty box.
In Paroi, T-Team needed a three-clear goal victory margin to pip Negri to the final.
But all they could manage was a solitary goal through Mohd Fitri Omar in the 72nd minute but the goal failed to inspire the club side as Negri bounced back with two quick kills through Shahurain Abu Samah in the 75th minute and skipper Mohd Shukor Adan from a glancing header in the 85th minute.
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