PETALING JAYA: Fandi Ahmad’s love affair with the Malaysia Cup runs deep.
As a player, the Singaporean legend lifted the prestigious trophy six times, the last coming in 1994 with Singapore.
Now, 31 years later, he’s hoping to savour that sweet triumph once more - this time from the touchline.
At the press conference ahead of the Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today, Fandi couldn’t help admiring the gleaming trophy as he said: “It’s been a while since I last lifted this trophy.”
Tonight, he’ll be hoping to lead Pahang to a historic win over giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), a daunting task by any measure.
But the ever-charismatic Fandi believes his team have the spirit and desire to punch above their weight.
“It’s a massive challenge, but I’ve been impressed with how the boys have responded. Many of them are playing in their first-ever final. The Malaysia Cup is rich in history, and I’ve been working to instil that sense of purpose in them,” said Fandi, who has been at the helm since 2023.
The former striker, who also won the cup with Pahang in 1992, said the ‘’underdogs’’ tag suits his side perfectly.
“Everyone’s fighting for a place in the starting 11. The commitment and passion are there. Football has changed today, you can’t just shout at the players. You need to reach their hearts. They need to understand the mission before stepping onto the field,” he said.
“Against a team like JDT, you can’t afford a moment of lost focus. But if we play as one, for the badge and for each other, anything is possible. It’s not always about skill - sometimes, willpower is what wins you trophies.”
To ensure his team are fully prepared, Pahang have been training at the Akademi Mokhtar Dahari (AMD) in Gambang to simulate the conditions at Bukit Jalil.
And with key attackers Kpah Sherman (suspended) and Manuel Hidalgo (ineligible) missing, Fandi has doubled up on motivational work.
“We’ve been hit with some blows, but we’ve kept our heads up. The boys are staying positive, as any negativity can drag the whole team down. We know who we’re up against but we’re ready to give our all.”
Fandi also called for a level playing field when it comes to officiating in the final.
“All I ask is for a fair game. Keadilan itu tanda kemakmuran – justice is a sign of prosperity. JDT may have the edge in quality, and we respect them, but once we’re on that pitch, we’ll fight for every ball.”
After three decades, Fandi isn’t chasing a fairytale ending for himself - he’s hoping for a moment that will belong to his players, his team, and the fans who still believe in the magic of the Malaysia Cup.
