KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The FA Cup is leaving Malaysian shores and going across the Causeway to Singapore for the first time after club side Lions XII from the city-state became the first foreign team to win it since it was introduced in 1990.
The young Lions created a major upset and history when they defeated two-time champions Kelantan 3-1 in a dramatic final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here tonight.
It was an electrifying atmosphere at the stadium which was jam-packed with almost 90,000 supporters, mostly from Kelantan and there was a deafening roar from the crowd when referee Muhammad Zamzaidi Katimin blew the starting whistle.
But it was the Lions who drew early blood when Muhammad Faris Ramli scored as early as the 6th minute, stunning the Red Warriors who were champions in 2012 and 2013.
However, the Red Warriors did not crumble by the early deficit but instead went on the offensive and nearly equalised five minutes later only to see Lions captain and keeper Muhammad Izwan Mahbud parry a stinger from winger Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor.
The Red Warriors who were making their fifth final appearance continued with their onslaught but poor finishing by their strikers and good keeping by Muhammad Izwan, who is also Singapore’s national team goalkeeper, kept them at bay and the score unchanged at half-time.
On resumption, there was no let up from Kelantan and it paid dividends when Wan Zack Haikal found the equaliser in the 62th minute. He made an intelligent finish to beat Muhammad Izwan which made the home supporters go into a frenzy.
In their eagerness to go for victory, Kelantan left their defence open resulting in a quick counter-attack that netted the Lions their second goal in the 81st minute.
It was scored by substitute Mohd Sahil Suhaimi who did a fine solo run and outwitted two Kelantan defenders before firing home.
More misery was waiting for the Red Warriors. Amirizdwan Taj Tajuddin brought down Mohd Sahil in the box in injury time leading to him getting a yellow card and the Lions a penalty.
Mohd Sahil, who is also a national player, calmly slotted the ball home and it was all over for Kelantan while Lions picked their second M-League title after winning the Super League in 2013.
What was even sweeter for them was that Muhammad Izwan was named Man of the Match and he received RM10,000 for that, which was presented by XOX Mobile Berhad managing director, Datuk Eddie Chai.
As champions, Lions XII received the FA Cup trophy, which was presented by the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V to Muhammad Izwan.
For the record, Lions XII began participating in the Malaysia League in 2011 after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) signed an agreement with the Football Association of Singapore the same year.
Scorers
Lions XII: Muhammad Faris Ramli (6th minute), Mohd Sahil Suhaimi (81st minute, 90’+4’ minute-penalty)
Kelantan: Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (62th minute)
Teams
Kelantan: Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Jonathan Mc Kain
(Farisham Ismail), Nik Shahrul Azim Ab Halim, Amirridzwan Taj Tajudin, Mohd Nor Hazrul Mustafa, Mohd Badhri Radzi(captain), Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (Iwuji Amamchi), Erwin Carillo, Gilmar Jose Da Silva.
Lions XII: Muhammad Izwan Mahbud (captain), Madhu Mohanna, Gabriel Quak Jun Yi (Christopher James Van Huizen), Muhd Hafiz Abu Sujad, Muhd Khairul Nizam Kamal (Mohd Sahil Suhaimi), Muhd Nazrul Ahmad Nazari, Muhd Izzdin Shafiq Yacob, Muhammad Faris Ramli, Mohd Khairul Amri Mohd Kamal (Muhd Firdaus Kasman), Muhd Safuwan Baharudin, Muhd Zulfahmi Mohd Arifin. — Bernama
