Counting on you: Yohandry Orozco will be one of Selangor’s key players in the FA Cup final against Johor Darul Ta’zim this Saturday.
PETALING JAYA: Selangor have not won the FA Cup over the last 15 years but former player Nazriq Baharom believes the former kingpins may have something special in store against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The experienced centreback Nasriq was part of the winning Red Giants who defeated Kelantan on penalties (4-1) when both teams were tied 1-1 after extra time in 2009.
And the last time Selangor came close of winning was when they reached the final in 2018 before losing 0-2 to Pahang.
Nasriq, who played for Selangor from 2006-2013 and also had a brief spell with the national team, termed the final an epic clash where he expects five-time champions to give JDT a hard time.
He believes Venezuelan midfielder Yohandry Orozco and Cape Verde striker Alvin Fortes as well a defender Harith Haiqal are the players who could pose a threat to the all-conquering JDT who will be going for a hattrick.
“There is no denying JDT are the No. 1 team (in the country) but I believe Selangor are a team with the quality to challenge them in the FA Cup final,” said the 37-year-old Nasriq.
“Orozco, Fortes and central defender Harith have been the engines of the Red Giants and these players are capable of troubling JDT.
“It should be an epic clash where Selangor would give everything to end their long wait for the FA Cup victory while JDT will not give in as the defending champions.
“It’s going to be a treat for the football fans.”
Selangor are the most improved team in the Super League season where they are second behind JDT (23 points) with 19 points.
Nidzam Jamil’s side have only lost one match against Kuala Lumpur (0-1) and have shown early that they are capable of keeping pace with the Southern Tigers.
Selangor led by Singaporean defender Safuan Baraharuddin, turned around 2-3 first leg defeat to Terengganu to win 4-1 at home and advance to the final with a 6-4 aggregate.
