MALAYSIA CUP: Conti ends team’s 21-year wait with a header
MATIAS Conti's second half header earned Pahang a 1-0 win over defending champions Kelantan to end their 21-year drought in the Malaysia Cup at Shah Alam Stadium yesterday.
The Argentine netted the winning goal when he headed home from close range in the 59th minute to deliver Pahang a third title in the history of the tournament after wins in 1983 and 1992.
It was a special moment for Pahang coach Dollah Salleh as he had won it with them as a player in 1992, and now a third time as a coach. He guided Pahang and Selangor to victories in 2003 and 2005.
"It is a special moment for me. I won the Malaysia Cup as a Pahang player 21 years ago and today I have successfully guided them to victory. Very few have managed it in this competition," said Dollah yesterday.
The water-logged pitch affected the tempo of the match in the first half as both teams struggled to string decent passes.
In the absence of Kelantan defender Obinna Nwaneri, Pahang had the slight edge and gave Kelantan some anxious moments in the opening minutes as the defending champions' makeshift back-line, manned by centre-backs Azizi Matt Rose and Farisham Ismail, struggled to contain Dollah Salleh's side.
Kelantan, however, were dangerous on the breaks and winger Indra Putra Mahayuddin, in his seventh final appearance, almost scored the opening goal from a free kick.
However, his powerful grounder glanced off Pahang's right post in the 14th minute.
In the 25th minute, referee Nagor Amir Noor Mohamed pointed to the penalty spot after Kelantan striker Dickson Nwakaeme was brought down by Pahang centre-back Damion Stewart but changed his mind after consulting his linesman Mohd Kamil Timun and instead awarded a free kick.
However, Kelantan captain Badhri Radzi's free kick was deflected off the Pahang wall for a corner kick.
Two minutes later, Pahang striker Conti missed a sitter after the initial shot from teammate R. Surendren bounced off Kelantan's crossbar.
In the 35th minute, a scuffle almost broke out when Pahang refused to kick the ball out of play despite knowing that Kelantan's Shakir Shaari was on the ground and needed treatment.
Pahang were a better side in the first half, stringing more attacks from the flanks through Surendren and R. Gobinathan while Bojan Hodak's side relied too much on Nwakaeme.
Hodak and other Kelantan officials confronted referee Nagor Amir after the half-time whistle but FAM officials managed to defuse the situation.
In the second half, Dollah replaced Surendren with Fauzi Roslan and the substitute almost scored seconds after coming on. He picked up a loose ball after Azamuddin Akil's low cross was cleared off a melee but he shot over the crossbar.
A defensive mix-up in Kelantan's box almost punished them in the 55th minute but Pahang midfielder Amirulhadi Zainal shot wide.
However, Pahang's dominance finally paid off four minutes later.
Conti headed home his eighth goal in the competition from Azamuddin's well-measured cross from the right.
After which Pahang made a decision to sit back and allow Kelantan to conjure up opportunities.
Nwakaeme found space outside Pahang's penalty box in the 61st minute and rifled a powerful rising shot but goalkeeper Khairul Azhan Khalid managed to tip it over the crossbar.
Kelantan came close on several occasions but failed to find the target.
The fans were in the stadium as early as 3pm but the FA of Malaysia may have oversold tickets as some had no seats.
Authorities were also forced to remove the buffer zone, located across the grandstand, as fans were packed like sardines in other sections of the stadium.
Pahang’s Matias Conti (right) scores with a header in their Malaysia Cup final match against Kelantan at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan
Links : http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/pahang-champs-again-1.391500?cache=exoiputlrqpelm
