FIRST MALAYSIA CUP CROWN FOR KELANTAN

In what was a repeat final from last year, Kelantan fell behind as early as the 13th minute when stand in striker Shahurain Abu Samah converted a penalty following a foul inside the box on S. Kunalan.

But supported by the vociferous crowd of well over 50,000 of their own fans in red, the Kelantanese rebounded after the break for veteran striker Hairuddin Omar to head home on 57 minute before Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi blasted the winner in the 65th minute.

The win for Kelantan erased the disappointment they suffered 40 years ago losing the final to Perak while at the same time ensured their place as among the 14 teams ever to have won the Malaysia Cup since 1921.

“I was confident that we would win even though we were down 1-0 in the first half. The pressure was immense but what made the difference for me was the fact that at half-time Tan Sri Annuar Musa (the President of the Kelantan FA) said that whatever happens in the final tonight, he will still support me,” said B. Sathiananthan, the chief coach of Kelantan after the match.

“I am not the hero of the team; the real hero is Tan Sri.”