NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PAHANG FC TO SUBDUE JDT – ZAINAL ABIDIN

PETALING JAYA, March 18 (Bernama) -- Sri Pahang FC are capable of pulling off a surprise upset over defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the 2024-2025 Malaysia Cup final scheduled to be held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on April 12.

Former Tok Gajah squad coach, Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan said the performance of the team from the east coast was outstanding in this Malaysia Cup campaign, and he expects Fandi Ahmad's team to play without pressure against the domestic football giant.

"We certainly don't deny the strength that JDT have, but I think Pahang will give good and fierce competition in the final.

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"The ball is round, we have seen many surprises happening, JDT certainly doesn't want what happened in the 2014 final to happen again and they will be more careful. For Sri Pahang, they will still be able to surprise and this is the chance for the players to shine in the final,” he said.

He said this when met at a breaking of fast with the media organised by the Malaysia Football League (MFL) here last night.

The last time Sri Pahang lifted the Malaysia Cup was in 2014 when they were under Zainal Abidin's management by defeating JDT 5-3 in a penalty shootout after both teams were tied 2-2.

The four-time champions ended a wait of more than a decade to advance to the final stage of the prestigious local football competition by defeating Sabah FC 3-2 on aggregate while JDT easily dismissed the challenge of Terengganu FC 6-1 on aggregate.

Meanwhile, the national football legend hopes that speculations about Sri Pahang's absence from the Super League next season will not affect the players' focus ahead of the Malaysia Cup final this time.

He also said that the local football scene will experience a big loss if his old team does not play in the 2025-2026 Super League.

“For me, the players need to focus on the final, and let the management do their job in other agenda  so let us pray because Pahang is an elite team and needs to be in the Malaysian football scene,” he said.

Last week, the Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail in a question and answer session with JDT supporters said that the Sri Pahang and Kedah Darul Aman FC teams will most likely not play in the Super League next season.

He explained that this problem is due to inefficient financial management when expenses exceed income.

-- BERNAMA