Calm before the storm: Selangor coach Nidzam Jamil is looking forward to his biggest moment.
PETALING JAYA: Selangor skipper Safuwan Baharuddin, having achieved his dream of guiding the team into the FA Cup final, does not consider the clash against the all-conquering Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the National Stadium as a mission impossible.
Centreback Safuwan, who joined Selangor a year after winning the FA Cup with Pahang in 2018, said his motivation had always been to take the Red Giants into the final.
The Singapore international had a brief six-month stint with Negri Sembilan last year before returning to play for the Red Giants again and he is thrilled with the way the team have started the new season.
“Of course, winning the FA Cup before is a motivation and my own dream is also to take Selangor to the final. This is my best achievement while also playing the role of captain for Selangor,” said the 32-year-old Safuwan.
Skipper Safuwan Baharuddin does not think beating JDT is impossible.
“But at the end of the day, nobody wants to come here to lose and as our coach (Nidzam Jamil) has mentioned, it a 50-50 game.
“When we came out for training last night (Thursday), it felt that to be at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil is a big achievement. We want to go into the game with positive intent.
“I think both teams have their individual qualities and it will be a fair share game tomorrow (today).
“I believe all the fans, who will be at the stadium and the ones watching at home, want to watch a beautiful game.
“Two big giants of Malaysian football will have a go at each other and regardless of the outcome of the match, it is going to be wonderful.”
Although rain may threaten to affect the quality of the final, Safuwan wouldn’t mind a light shower which would make the pitch at the National Stadium more playable.
“During our training last night (Thursday), the pitch was good as it wasn’t too dry or too slippery,” added Safuwan.
“Looking at the weather over the last few days, we hope that there will be a short shower before the game as this will softened the pitch a little and the flow of the ball will be better.”
Safuwan will not be the only player to have tasted Cup success within the Selangor side as Faisal Halim was his teammate in Pahang during their 2018 FA Cup success.
Faisal, who has recovered from the May 5 acid attack and subsequent surgeries, has also been cleared to play in the match and his presence would further add a sentimental touch to Selangor’s push for their first silverware since the 2015 Malaysia Cup.
