Terengganu ended an 11-year drought to lift the 22nd edition of the FA Cup when they edged Kelantan 2-1 in the final at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil Saturday night. Ahmad Nordin Alias emerged as the Terengganu hero when he scored the decider after both teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the second half.
The last time Terengganu lifted the trophy was in 2000 when they beat Penang 5-3 through penalty kicks after being tied 1-1 at the end of extra time. With the victory tonight, Terengganu created history when it became the last champion to lift the trophy which was introduced in 2005 and used for seven editions of the FA Cup final.
Previously, the first FA Cup trophy was used in 15 editions from 1990 until 2004 and the Perak team, who became the first champion and final champion in 2004, were given the honour to keep the trophy permanently. A new trophy to replace the FA Cup will be introduced next season. Playing in front of a capacity-packed stadium, both Terengganu and Kelantan were evenly matched at the outset of the game but lacked finishing.
Irfan Bakti Abu Salim's charges had a sitter in the 20th minute but striker Abdul Hadi Yahaya's attempt from the top of the penalty box found Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat's safe pair of hands. On the other hand, Kelantan's best opportunity in the first half came in the 40th minute but striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha's stinging shot was parried by Terengganu goalkeeper Mohd Sharbinee Allawee Ramli.
The situation became a bit tense five minutes after the breather when firecrackers were hurled towards Mohd Sharbinee, forcing the referee to stop the match for five minutes. The Red Warriors broke the deadlock in the 79th minute when Mohd Nurul Azwan Roya, having collected a pass from Mohd Shakir Shaari, eluded Kelantan defenders and chipped the ball with his left foot over the bewildered Terengganu goalkeeper.
With pressure piling up, Terengganu made several counter-attacks which eventually paid off when Kelantan's Mohd Daudsu Jamaluddin nodded in an owned goal in a haste to clear a lob in front of the goal mouth five minutes into the extra time. After the regulation time ended with a 1-1 draw, the match went into a 30-minute extra time.
Ahmad Nordin Alias became the darling of Terengganu's fans when he volleyed the ball into the net from a corner kicked in the 109 minute to edge Kelantan 2-1. The victory was made more meaningful for Terengganu as the FA Cup was presented by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. Terengganu captain Mohd Mazuki Yusof was named the best player in the final.
