SHAH ALAM: Perak head coach Mehmet Durakovic was all smiles after clinching the Malaysia Cup title for the fifth time in his football career. The 53-year-old Australian had previously won the Malaysia Cup thrice as player, in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and in 2015 as head coach of Selangor.
Perak won the Malaysia Cup title for the eighth time by defeating Terengganu FC (TFC) 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out after both teams were tied 3-3 in the final at the Shah Alam Stadium last night. The previous titles were won in 1926, 1931, 1957, 1967, 1970, 1998 and 2000.
“To win with Perak after so many years and winning the cup after trailing 0-2 at halftime is amazing, and for me, tonight’s match should go down into Malaysian football history,” he told a press conference after the match.
“This stadium holds big memories for me and my family as my kids grew up here and I’ve regarded Malaysia as my second home,” said Durakovic, who also hailed the fighting spirit of his players.
Meanwhile, TFC head coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim admitted that luck did not favour the Turtles Squad in the penalty shootout, but he was still proud of the stellar performance by many of his players who were playing in front of a huge crowd for the very first time.
“For me, the penalty shootout is like the lottery and luck was not on our side. We lost to Perak in the match, but won in many other aspects and I applaud the game played by my players tonight (Saturday),” he said.
Irfan, who will remain as TFC coach for next season said that captain Brice Hermann Tchétché Kipré was effective up front with his brace, though he had also hoped for Abdul Malik Mat Ariff, and K. Partiban to add to the scoreline.-Bernama
