The signing of Farizal Marlias and Abdul Hadi Yahya marked Perak's pledge to improve for the next season

Photo courtesy www.nst.com.my 

      It is all bright for Perak next season after several surprising but magnificent captures of Negri Sembilan goalkeeper and regarded as a no. 2 in national setup, Farizal Marlias, an outcast Terengganu striker, Abdul Hadi Yahya, Felda's flamboyant striker Yong Kuong Yong and Kedah midfielder, V. Thirumurugan. Perak also managed to sign Negri Sembilan head coach, Azraai Khor Abdullah.

     This is yet to prove how they will gel together however, given that Farizal had a decent season with Negri Sembilan, Hadi meanwhile never even bother to put his name on the scoresheet for Terengganu with his playing time limited due to the presence of the recently-departed Forkey Doe, Yong Kuong Yong make his second move in two season, after signing for Felda United from recently-relegated Kuala Lumpur a year ago, and V. Thirumurugan's decent season following miserable season with Kedah. It is interesting though, when Azraai Khor make a decision to manage Perak after Negri Sembilan's failure to improve the league position, which is in 6th position, lower two position than Perak in 4th, and failed to retain the Malaysia Cup title.

    Several of important signing signalled that Perak is ready to make a further step forward towards their expectation for the next season. Perak is struggled to challenge for the title after heavy-import foreign player era and last season's dismal due to relying on younger player too much. For the next season, their plan is to mix with experienced player, though the departure of their talismanic and legendary striker, Akmal Rizal Rakhli is somewhat understanding when he makes a decision to move back to his own local team, Kedah. Perak is managerless at the end of this season, after they terminated the services of Norizan Bakar, due to the inconsistent and unconvincing performances and Jang Jun is appointed to be a caretaker for Perak in the Malaysia Cup competition. With their Malaysia Cup campaign ended horribly, there is in need to give a fresh start and the with the additional of the several experienced player, Perak is expected to be better for the next season, and possibly a journey back to the lost glory.

Indra stunner brushed ATM aside as Kelantan clinched the magnificent treble

Photo Courtesy  www.duniasukan.com

      Before this prestige final, Kelantan were left sweat after their most on-form striker, Muhammad Ghaddar and winger Nor Farhan Muhammad are suspended after receiving more than two yellow cards they collected in a heated clashed against Selangor in the semi-final though managed to win 2-0 in the end. While ATM will play without Irwan Fadhli Idrus, defender and former Negri Sembilan player with similar suspension. Kelantan field-up almost similar players who played frequently in Malaysia Cup, with Afiq Azmi, striker on-loan from Kuala Lumpur replaced Ghaddar and Nurul Azwan Roya filled Farhan's position as a starter in the final while ATM made young midfielder K. Reuben as a make-shift full-back and no other change in position. Kelantan reasonably strong in the first half as well as ATM with both side trying to take an early lead but finishing is poor throughout until Kelantan out-of-form striker Nor Shahrul Idlan Talaha broke the deadlock, slotted an easy finish passed ATM's goalkeeper Farizal Husin in the 44th minutes certainly cheered 60 thousands Kelantan fans before half-time.
   
    ATM were given a breathe in the second half when S. Subramaniam picked up an injury and could not continued. They did not take long to equalise after Rezal Zambery Yahya strike a screamer in the 49th minutes from the rebound  ball which took off a deflection and went in. But only a minute later, Kelantan striker Nor Shahrul again popped up with a delighful individual effort, after dribbled from the left side of the pitch and took a shot with an incisive finish in the 50th minutes. With Kelantan seemingly still enjoying their goal, ATM doubled their efforts and their resilient pay off after ATM's current top scorer, Marlon Alex James scored a simple header through Zaquan Adha's free-kick in the 62th minute. Kelantan, a clear favourites for this final, and with highly likely to score and win the match within 90 minute, surprisingly failed  to do so and made it tougher to win when they have to play for another 30 minutes of the match to decides the winner.

     As early as the match of extra time started, legendary Indra Putra Mahayuddin suddenly pulled off one of the greatest stunner in the final after he flung the ball from Kelantan captain Badri Radzi fly passed ATM goalkeeper Farizal Husin to the top left of the net. ATM trying their best to find an equaliser, at least to drag the match into penalty shoot-out, but Kelantan managed to content the pressure from ATM and subsequently sealed Malaysia Cup title for a second time in three years. But to Kelantan, their proudest achievement will have to be completing the treble for the first time, having previously won the Malaysia Super League and F.A. Cup earlier in the season and reached to quarter-final AFC Cup. ATM, though their dream of winning a historic double for a Premier League champion is crushed by Kelantan, when they made it to the final is already an incredible achievement given that they only compete in the second tier of Malaysian football.Their challenge will be much more bigger for the next season and need to be stronger as they will compete in a Malaysian top-flight league, the Super League. As for Kelantan, their treble will be savour by fans for some time to come.