KUALA LUMPUR: Pahang ended their four-year wait for silverware when they overcame Selangor 2-0 to lift the FA Cup at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.
The Elephants scored through Mohd Nor Azam Abdul Azih (22nd minute) and Patrick Cruz (62nd).
The victory made up for the East Coast side’s disappointment of losing last year’s FA Cup final to Kedah (3-2) at the Shah Alam Stadium.
The National Stadium, however, proved to be Pahang’s happy hunting ground as they won their last silverware – the Malaysia Cup – back in 2014.
Last night, Dollah Salleh’s Pahang dominated from the start with Azam feeding the ball to strikers Austin Amutu, Mohamadou Sumareh, Norsharul Idlan Talaha and Cruz, who all kept the Selangor defence busy.
The Red Giants, who played with several youngsters under rookie coach Nazliazmi Nasir, had earlier staved off the Pahang attack and only launched sporadic offence spearheaded by their Spanish hitman Rufino Segovia.
Pahang went ahead after Azam rifled a shot into the top corner from outside the box after being teed up by Safuwan Baharudin’s header in the 22nd minute.
The goal took the wind out of Selangor’s sail and Pahang, sensing blood, their attack to continued to terrorise the Giants’ backline with Norsharul at the heart of the action with his mazy dribbles down the left flank.
Selangor, however, managed to keep their composure and hold the fort till half-time.
Pahang continued from where they left off after the restart and Cruz could have doubled Pahang’s lead but he failed to direct his header from Amutu’s cross in the 47th minute.
Cruz, however, got his name on the score sheet after converting a spot-kick in the 62nd minute when Selangor’s Alfonso De La Cruz brought down Austin in the box.
Pahang then took their foot off the pedal and allowed the youthful Selangor forwards to threaten but to no avail.
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