History beckons as fancied Terengganu and Negri Sembilan are just 90 minutes away from meeting for the first time in the final of the Malaysia Cup in 90 years.
FA Cup winners Terengganu are in buoyant mood heading into today’s semi-final return-leg match against Selangor at the Sultan Ismail Stadium in Kuala Terengganu. The Turtles downed the Red Giants 2-0 in the first-leg at the Shah Alam Stadium on Tuesday.
In the other semi-final, Negri too are in the driver’s seat when they host T-Team at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi. Negri won the first-leg 4-2 on Tuesday.
While Selangor have warned that they are ready to launch the “mother of all fightbacks” against Terengganu, T-Team face an uphill task against Negri.
Even if T-Team manage to score two goals in Paroi, Negri will still go through on the away goals rule.
Fans can brace themselves for a free-flowing game at both venues because Selangor and T-Team will throw everything at their opponents.
Selangor coach P. Maniam said it would be a test of character for his men.
“We can make it happen if we put our hearts and minds to it. The players must believe in themselves. We have a plan to get the goals and I believe we can snatch it from Terengganu if the players rise to the occasion,” said Maniam, who will be counting on Safiq Rahim, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal, Rudie Ramli, Mohd Fadzli Saari and Azidan Saruddin to get the goals.
But Terengganu are a different proposition especially as they have homeground advantage and a two-goal cushion.
Coach Irfan Bakti’s boys have been in superb form all season and they will be hard nuts to crack.
In Paroi, T-Team will have to find a new inspiration following the suspension on Indra Putra Mahayuddin. He is suspended after picking up a second yellow card in the competition.
Coach Yunus Alif described Indra’s absence as a body blow and conceded that the team’s task of overturning the 4-2 first-leg defeat against Negri would be much harder.
“Mohd Haris Safwan will be Indra’s replacement in attack. But it will still be an uphill task,” said Yunus.
Negri are all set to qualify for their third straight final. They were champions in 2009 and runners-up last year.
Coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah’s men should have little problem finishing off the demoralised club side, who need to win by a clear three-goal margin to pip Negri to a place in the final.
Azraai can also count on in-form striker Hairuddin Omar, who has eight goals to his credit in the Malaysia Cup, to strike fear in the T-Team.
For the record, Negri have not lost by a three-goal margin at home this season.
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