...yet so Far!
It was a final that broke so many Ganuan hearts. Their wish to see their team lifting the Malaysia Cup trophy for the first time since 2001 did not materialised after another Ganuan crushed their dream by scoring the winning goal for the opposition.
Former Terengganu forward, Hairudin Omar lived up to his reputation as a big time player by delivering the goods again for Negeri Sembilan. His strike towards the end of the match was enough to see off his former team, who he helped to their only Malaysia Cup triumph a decade ago.
It was a battle of tacticians with Terengganu Head Coach, Irfan Bakti opting to put his best line-up possible and to play their usual attacking game. However for Negeri Sembilan Head Coach, Azrai Khoor, he came with a strategy to stifle his opponent's game and that was to flood his midfield to ensure Terengganu midfielders would not be able to dictate the match.
It worked to perfection as the much vaunted Terengganu forward-line could not function effectively when they could not get their supply of passes. Every player in yellow worked hard to ensure The Terengganu players would not be comfortable on the ball.
But it was a testament to The Turtles fighting spirit and creativity that they managed to threaten the Negeri Sembilan goal on a number of occasion. Both Abdul Hadi Yahya and Ashaari Shamsudin forced the goalkeeper to work hard with their shots.
Terengganu managed to break the dead-lock in the second half. Going into the hour mark Abdul Manaf Mamat went on a solo run from a counter attack and his pass found Ashaari. The forward took a few touches before unleashing a shot which took a deflection that was enough to beat Farizal Marlias.
Negeri Sembilan came back at the Turtle but could not find the break through until ten minutes before time when a misjudgment by Terengganu goalkeeper, Sharbinee Allawee allowed Kunanlan high ball from the left to bounce past him into the net.
It was a goal that put a damper on every Ganuan, on and off the pitch.
Negeri Sembilan were on the ascendancy and five minutes later Hairudin struck with a wonderful volley from a cross from the right. It was a goal worthy to win any final and it was.
The Setiu born player was named Man of the Match and he certainly deserved the award not for just his performance in the final but throughout the campaign as well for Negeri Sembilan.
It was a heartbreaking moment for The Turtles and their fans. But looking back it has been a good season for them with a second place finish in the Super League, their highest since the inception of the new format.
Of course, the victory in the FA Cup back in June ensured they would not be finishing the season empty-handed.
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