TFC II emerge victorious in inaugural Challenge Cup

Champions: Terengganu FC II posing with the trophy after winning the Challenge Cup final at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium on Monday. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Professional football outfit Terengganu FC II (TFC II) were crowned champions in the inaugural Challenge Cup.

TFC II defeated Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) 2-0 in the second leg of the final at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium on Monday, for a 4-2 aggregate win.

Nigerian striker Akanni Sunday Wasiu was the toast with a brace in the 22nd and 53rd minutes.

The win is a huge consolation for TFC II, formerly known as T-Team, who finished bottom of the 12-team Premier League this year.

TFC II who will play in the third-tier FAM Cup next season, earned RM250,000 for their effort while runners-up UKM received RM75,000.

TFC coach Tengku Hazman Raja Hassan said the win is a redemption after getting relegated to the FAM Cup.

“I’m satisfied with the team’s performance, the players executed well the plans we had for this match,” said Tengku Hazman after the match.

“This is the first time this tournament is contested and of course it’s not as prestigious like the FA Cup or the Malaysia Cup but I think we can still be proud of winning this title.

“We are still happy to win a silverware this season although the team are relegated to the FAM Cup next season.”

Tengku Hazman was appointed as the caretaker coach in August after head coach Mustafa Kamal was sacked as the East Coast side failed to escape from relegation.

The 41-year-old coach said he has received offers to coach Premier League teams next season but he’s still undecided on his future.

“There are offers but I’m not thinking too much on it because my mind was on this final game,” added the former international.