PETALING JAYA: The Selangor state government has declared Monday a state holiday after its football team won the Malaysia Cup.
The “Red Giants” downed Kedah 2-0 to win the coveted trophy for the 33rd time at the Shah Alam Stadium here Saturday night.
The historic win ended Selangor's 10-year drought in the Malaysia Cup, with the last win coming in 2005 when they defeated Perlis 3-0.
The success was also a meaningful gift for Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Friday.
In congratulating the Red Giants, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the gesture was a mark of appreciation for the team’s success under coach Mehmet Durakovic, as well as for its supporters and the people of Selangor.
Azmin said the decision to declare a holiday was first referred to state secretary Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi before Sultan Sharafuddin gave his royal blessing.
“We are extremely delighted to hoist the Malaysia Cup again after a hiatus of 10 years.
“I hope this achievement will be maintained in the years to come,” he said.
Ahmad Hazwan Bakri became the hero for Selangor as his double strike helped the Red Giants capture a record 33rd Malaysia Cup title.
The striker’s goals after just three minutes on the clock in each half were enough to overcome Kedah 2-0 in the final at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Kedah finished the game with 10 men after goalkeeper Firdaus Muhamad was red-carded four minutes from the end for blocking substitute S. Veenod’s goal-bound effort with his hands outside the penalty area.
With the win, Selangor coach Mehmet Durakovic fulfilled his desire to win the Malaysia Cup with the Red Giants both as a player and coach.
The Australian had previously won three Malaysia Cup titles as a Selangor player from 1995-97.
Selangor made an explosive start in the rain to peg the Red Eagles in their own half. The Kedah defence barely had time to settle down when Brazilian Guilherme de Paula released Hazwan with a brilliant through pass.
The striker calmly sped away from his marker with his first touch, and lifted the ball over outrushing Kedah goalkeeper Firdaus to spark celebrations among the red and yellow half of the packed stadium.
Stung by the early setback, Kedah regrouped but, despite dominating possession, failed to break down the stout Selangor backline marshalled by skipper Shahrom Abdul Kalam.
Selangor again punished the Kedah backline’s inability to settle down three minutes after the restart.
In a carbon copy of the build-up to the first goal, De Paula was again the architect. The Brazilian laid another exquisite pass to Hazwan, who delivered an angled shot past Firdaus and into the bottom corner of the net.
With a two-goal deficit to chase, Kedah coach Tan Cheng Hoe threw on young strikers Farhan Roslan and Syafiq Ahmad to add more bite to the attack.
Farhan almost made an immediate impact in the 65th minute but failed to direct his close range header on target from Kosovo international Liridon Krasniqi's cross.
Chidi Edeh put da Silva through on goal three minutes later, but Selangor goalkeeper Norazlan Razali was quick on his feet to block the Brazilian’s shot.
When Firdaus received his marching orders late on, Kedah’s hopes of getting back into the game became an impossible mission.
