Durakovic: It's very satisfying to win another Malaysia Cup

Selangor player celebrate with their coach Mehmed Durakovic after won for Malaysia Cup final match between Selangor and Kedah in Shah Alam Stadium at Shah Alam. Selangor beat Kedah with 2-0. FAIHAN GHANI/The Star.

SHAH ALAM: It’s mission accomplished for Selangor and coach Mehmet Durakovic.

Selangor have finally won their 33rd Malaysia Cup title and the architect of their latest triumph – a 2-0 win over 10-man Kedah at the Shah Alam Stadium last night – has become the first foreigner to lift the Cup as a player and coach.

Winger Ahmad Hazwan Bakri’s brace in third and 48th minutes ended the Klang Valley giants’ 10-year wait to regain the Cup and a five-year wait for a silverware.

There was more good news for Selangor fans as Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali announced that Monday would be a public holiday for the state.

The win was also the perfect gift for the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Friday.

“I can’t describe the feeling ... mission for 33rd title has been accomplished ... our 10-year wait for another Malaysia Cup has ended,” said Durakovic at the post-match press conference.

“It’s very satisfying to win ... nobody gave us a chance, but we kept believing and ended up winning the Malaysia Cup.”

Durakovic featured prominently in the centre of defence for Selangor in their three straight Malaysia Cup triumphs from 1995 to 1997. He is also the only foreigner to have won the Cup three times in a row.

But Selangor’s fortunes began to dwindle when Durakovic left. They managed to win it again in 2002 and the last time they held the trophy aloft for the 32nd time was in 2005.

“It’s a dream come true for me ... I wanted to bring the glory back to Selangor and I’m so happy to have achieved it,” said Durakovic, 50.

“This is a special moment for me, my family, the players, fans ... no words can describe my feelings now.”