KUALA LUMPUR (12 June 2011) – Terengganu overcame the odds to clinched their first silverware this year when they edged out favourites Kelantan 2-1 to win the 22nd edition of the Malaysian FA Cup last night.
Ahmad Nordin provided the winner in extra-time after the score was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation.
Both teams battled to a scoreless deadlock at the half in front of a sell-out crowd at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Kelantan then stepped up the pressure at the break for Nurul Azwan Roya to score the lead on 79 minutes before an own goal off Daudsu Jamaludin right at the end gave Terengganu the lifeline going into extra time.
In extra-time, substitute Ahmad turned in a corner to ensure that the FA Cup will head to Kuala Terengganu this year.
“I’m just happy to be part of a winning team. But to score the winner was more than I expected,” said Ahmad.
In the meantime Datuk M. Karathu, the chief coach of Kelantan admitted that the last-gasp goal – what more an own goal – killed the rhythm for his boys.
“Conceding that last minute goal destroyed us. It was tough for them to come back from that especially when you were playing against an opponent who seem to be more confident,” added Karathu.
“I knew that the game will be close but we should have controlled more and not lose possession so easily. It is disappointing not to win the FA Cup to add to the Charity Shield we won early in the season.”
