Sweating it out: Sony Norde at Terengganu’s training session. — Terengganu
PETALING JAYA: Haitian winger Sony Norde has played in Malaysia for four years but has never played in a Cup final.
But Norde hopes to change his fortune when he plots Terengganu’s success against Kuala Lumpur in the Malaysia Cup first-leg semi-finals at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium today.
The 34-year-old has been disappointed by the City Boys twice before.
When he played for Melaka from 2020 to 2022, they nearly reached the final of the Malaysia Cup in 2021 but lost to eventual champions KL 3-5 in a penalty shootout after both sides drew 2-2 in the two-legged affair.
The player joined Terengganu this year and had the best chance to qualify for the FA Cup final, but lost 2-4 to KL yet again in a penalty shootout after both sides fired blanks in regulation and extra time during the semi-finals.
Norde does not want history to repeat itself.
“I’ve never played in a final since I moved to Malaysia. There were opportunities but luck was not on my side.
“This time, in the Malaysia Cup, I see another opportunity to end that wait for a Cup final,” said Norde.
“I know Terengganu want to be in the final and it all depends on us. If we are focused, the chance for us to get to that stage is huge.
“We have prepared well and the motivation is high.
“We want to make sure that our fans will get a chance to experience a final game this year. That is our goal.”
KL, however, will not be easy meat as they have earned a reputation as a side who can grind results in Cup competitions.
Not only they have strong strikers in Tchetche Kipre and Romel Morales, the Klang Valley club are also known for their physical strength and work rate.
Terengganu will have to make sure that they are effective with their chances, with Australian centreback Giancarlo Gallifuoco leading the backline and Italian midfielder Sebastian Avanzini being the destroyer in midfield to break down KL.
“They are strong and tactically disciplined. We have seen it during Cup games – how they can absorb attacks and then unleash counters,” said Norde.
“We are prepared and hope to execute our plan well to ensure we can get the goals.”
