All systems go: KL coach Bojan Hodak with his players ahead of the FA Cup final against JDT.
PETALING JAYA: Will lady luck be smiling again on Kuala Lumpur coach Bojan Hodak?
The Croatian surely hopes so as the City Boys’ maestro plots the downfall of Johor Darul Ta’zim in the FA Cup final at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri.
The affable Hodak is hopeful that some luck would rub off on his team when they take on the defending champions.
“We have played in three different finals in the last three years since 2021. Winning the Malaysia Cup was a dream, nobody expected us to go all the way in the AFC Cup and now, playing in the FA Cup final. We have prepared quite well,” said Hodak, who coached JDT from 2014 to 2015.
“But in football, sometimes when you prepare things, it goes well, sometimes, it does not. That is why you need a little bit of luck in the game.”
“Luck is always there in your life. It’s in the game as well. You need little luck for everything. I hope it comes in the final.”
Hodak however, continued to air his grievance over the decision to have the game at the Southern Tigers’ home ground.
“JDT have an advantage because they are playing in front of their fans. Is it fair to play the final at their den? No, it is not fair because we would have preferred it was held on a neutral ground.
“It’s however beyond my control and a decision has been made.
“My boys are professionals. This is the final and I believe they will not let nothing affect their performance.
“JDT have the best local players and the most expensive foreign players in the league but we will be organised with our team.
“We have to be compact and wait for our chance if not, you will see another six again (referring to their previous 1-6 defeat against JDT on July 1).
Hodak is also hopeful that the match referee would be fair and just as he wants the game to be a good show for all fans.
“I wrote six reports to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) about officiating. Every reply from them is that they are looking seriously into the matter.
“I hope we have a stronger referee for this game. There are good referees in Malaysia.”
He also hoped that there would be no disturbance in the hotel at night.
“I hope there will be no fireworks at 2am or 3am, just like what had happened against the Selangor team in the semi-finals,” he joked.
Hodak knows the FA Cup final scene well as he won it twice in 2012 and 2013 with Kelantan. The City Boys would hope that the man nicknamed, “The Cup King” can weave his magic today against the might Johoreans.
