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Tuesday November 3, 2009

Old-timer Wan Hassan remembers slip in 1970

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Kelantan should have won the Malaysia Cup 39 years ago.

Former international Wan Hassan Wan Ibrahim said that the team of 1970 had all the ingredients to become champions of Malaysian football.

“We had ourselves to blame for the failure in the final ... but it is no point crying over spilt milk now,” said Hassan from Kota Baru yesterday.

In the 1970 final, Perak walked out victors with a 2-0 win over Kelantan at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

Beaten finalist: Wan Hassan pointing to his photo in the newspaper prior to the 1970 Malaysia Cup final. Kelantan were beaten 2-0 by Perak.

Hassan revealed that preparations were in place to host a grand banquet the following day at the Istana Negeri in anticipation of their victory.

But their party was dashed by Bahamin Khamis, who scored two second-half goals for Perak.

“I hope the present team will go on and win the Cup, which not Kelantan side had managed to do so in the 88-year history of the competition,” said the 58-year-old Hassan.

“The present management under Tan Sri Annuar Musa has been supportive and a great source of inspiration to the progress of Kelantan football. I wish them all the best.”

The only other time Kelantan made it to the final was in 1955 and they were beaten 1-3 by Singapore.

However, Hassan holds fond memories of a Malaysia Cup tie against Singapore, a 10-2 mauling of the Lions on aggregate in the 1970 semi-finals.

“We set the record in the semi-finals, thrashing Singapore 8-0 in the second leg at home after having drawn 2-2 away,” he said.

“Yes, we avenged the loss in 1955 and buried the Singaporeans at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru. The stadium was full to the brim by 2pm and that was the explosive atmosphere. But sadly, we could not finish the season with the Cup.”

Hassan said that the Kelantan team of the 70s boasted of having skilful players in internationals Dali Omar, Wan Zawawi, Hamzah Hussen and Mahadi Yusuf.

The others in the formidable side were Nik Sazali, Ramli Nik Mat, Kamaruddin Mohd, Ghani Omar, Nik Salleh Nik Man and Alimin Ahmad.

“Malaysia used to be force to be reckoned with in Asia in the 70s. I remember fans getting angry with us even if we had beaten Thailand 2-0. Then, the expectations were high. Hopefully, we can raise the image of our national team too,” said Hassan.

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