Selangor's TSSC 2024 hat-trick champions, upset Singapore's 2-1
BERNAMA
18/08/2024 
KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Selection once again won the Sultan of Selangor Cup (TSSC) championship for the third consecutive edition after disappointing the Singapore Selection 2-1 at the historic Merdeka Stadium venue, here tonight.
The victory saw Selangor achieve a hat-trick of victories after winning the historic championship for the 2019 and 2018 editions, thus becoming the Red Giants squad's 10th championship since the competition was organized in 2001.
The first half saw Selangor start fiercely when the visiting team's goal was nearly conceded as early as the third minute through Muhammad Alif Izwan Yuslan's kick, but the ball was caught neatly by Singaporean goalkeeper Muhammad Syazwan Buhari.
Selangor continued to launch a dangerous attack on the opponent's fortress, however the Singapore's defense restrained the efforts of the Nidzam Jamil coached squad to create a goal until the first half ended without a goal.
Entering the second half, the home team was seen to be more aggressive when Ahmad Danial Ahmad Asri's shot managed to rip through the opponent's goal, but the goal was not counted because the player was in an offside position.
Selangor finally opened the scoring through striker Ronnie Fernandez who ran and dribbled the ball from a long distance before the ball was calmly swiped into the Singapore goal thus exploding the cheers of about 20,000 spectators present.
Singapore then equalized through Muhammad Faris Ramli's header in the 87th minute before Selangor doubled the lead through a free kick taken by Alvin Fortez three minutes later.
The score remained 2-1 until the final whistle.
Meanwhile, the Selangor Veteran team also put on an excellent performance when they reclaimed the championship after defeating Singapore 2-1.
The goal was produced by national football legend Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan who kicked the ball into the visiting team's goal after receiving a pass from teammate Ashrof Hanafiah as early as the third minute.
Continuing the second half, Selangor managed to widen the gap when Asmawi Bakhiri who made a kick missed the goal in the 17th minute before Singapore narrowed the gap through Mohammad Noor Ali in the injury minute and the result remained 2-1.
The 30-minute action between the two veteran teams mesmerized the entire audience at the Merdeka Stadium, thus harnessing the nostalgia of the two rivals.
Earlier, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah agreed to officiate the match.
Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah also went to witness the historic match which was organized again after four years since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The audience was also treated to a parachute performance by the Royal Malaysian Police Air Force (PDRM) and the singing of Malaysian Pop King Datuk Jamal Abdillah.
