It's been 95 years since Malaysia Cup exists on Earth. But has it been treated the way it should be?
The biggest sin of Malaysia Cup at the moment is that it doesn't offer a place in the continental competition. In fact, it doesn't offer anything much except short-term enjoyment. Hence, people are questioning the relevance of having the competition in the first place.
There are people who doesn't want Malaysia Cup to exist anymore.
There are people who want to change the current format, making it a knock-out competition and scrapped FA Cup.
And there are people who simply didn't care and support their team in the competition regardless of the relevance or not.
Sorry to say, people forget how Malaysia Cup shaped the culture of football in the country. It's from Malaysia Cup that the country found countless number of legends and talents. It's from Malaysia Cup that football lives in this country.
Most importantly, it's from Malaysia Cup that football fans exist in the country.
What became a problem is that, as years goes by, the world has to change to accommodate to the present time. But Malaysia Cup did not. It used to be a platform for the national team. When the league was introduced, it has lost the purpose. When the FA Cup was introduced, plus offering a continental place, Malaysia Cup went down the pecking order.
And nothing much has been done to save the competition. As if it's been left to die.
Last year's decision by FMLLP to kick-off the competition much earlier, basically before the league ends, is a wise move indeed.
But this year's Malaysia Cup is, to be completely honest, is a failure which is disappointing to say the least.
It failed to capture the excitement that it should be, particularly treating the competition as second fiddle and regard the matches as 'not important'.
The most depressing thing is, how league champion JDT appear to be reluctant to play with a full-strength team and ended up knocked out of competition, since they have made it clear, only a competition that provides continental football matters to them.
The fact that this year's final has the same finalists like last year, coupled with semi-finals involving teams that simply lack of fans, something needs to be done to restore the glory of Malaysia Cup.
Final of 2016 is a final hope to see a real quality football in Malaysia, something that Malaysian football has been lacking throughout this year.
Enjoy the game everyone.
PS: It would be nice to see Malaysia Cup final hosted by some other stadiums next time, I'm just sick of Shah Alam Stadium.