PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) defender Adam Nor Azlin (pic) does not want Kedah to spoil his childhood fantasy in the Malaysia Cup final.
The 23-year-old has envisioned playing in a Malaysia Cup final since he was a child – and now that his dream has come true, he will do his best in defence to stop Kedah from scoring in a repeat of the 2017 final between the two teams at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
“As a youngster, I used to follow the Cup closely, and when I started playing football, my aim was to play in this Cup,” said Adam.
“Now that I’m in the final, it’s a good feeling indeed.”
Adam has played in the Malaysia Cup before with Selangor in 2016 but they did not reach the final.
“The Malaysia Cup is the oldest tournament in the country. So it’s an honour to come this far in this competition. I’m giving my best in training to be part of the action,” he said.
JDT and Kedah reached the final in contrasting styles.
The Southern Tigers roared in Shah Alam on Saturday when they sensationally defeated Selangor 5-1 on aggregate but Kedah survived one of the best two-leg semi-finals against Pahang to get a shot at winning the Malaysia Cup for the sixth time.
Kedah made it on the away goals rule after the match was tied 8-8 on aggregate after the second leg semi-finals despite an additional 30 minutes in extra time in Kuantan on Saturday.
Adam admitted that they would face a new and revitalised Kedah in the repeat final.
“I expect the game to be feisty as I consider Kedah one of our closest challengers in the Malaysian League,” said Adam.
“Kedah will fight until the end. In 2017, JDT beat them 2-0 in the final to win their first Malaysia Cup, but that’s the past. This is a new and improved Kedah team.
“Against them, 100% is not enough. We need to be at 200% against Kedah. Their perseverance, commitment and teamwork are their assets, so if we lapse a little, they will surely punish us.”
Throughout the season, JDT coach Benjamin Mora has rotated Adam and two other centrebacks Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak and Mauricio Santos, and the youngster has given some composed performances in the Super League and Malaysia Cup.
Adam has also regularly featured for the national team in the 2022 World Cup-2023 Asian Cup qualifiers, but the former Harimau Muda player admitted that he can only get better.
Always striving to give his best, Adam said he has been criticised at times for his performances but he took it all in his stride and promised to give a good account of himself.
“All the players in JDT have the charisma and calibre to play in any final. The competition will be tough, but that’s the beauty of this team,” he said.
“Anyone who plays in the final will surely give their best, but if I’m starting on Nov 2, I would like to assure everyone that I will give my fullest commitment,” added Adam, who played only in the second-half against Selangor in the second leg.
The 23-year-old has envisioned playing in a Malaysia Cup final since he was a child – and now that his dream has come true, he will do his best in defence to stop Kedah from scoring in a repeat of the 2017 final between the two teams at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
“As a youngster, I used to follow the Cup closely, and when I started playing football, my aim was to play in this Cup,” said Adam.
“Now that I’m in the final, it’s a good feeling indeed.”
Adam has played in the Malaysia Cup before with Selangor in 2016 but they did not reach the final.
“The Malaysia Cup is the oldest tournament in the country. So it’s an honour to come this far in this competition. I’m giving my best in training to be part of the action,” he said.
JDT and Kedah reached the final in contrasting styles.
The Southern Tigers roared in Shah Alam on Saturday when they sensationally defeated Selangor 5-1 on aggregate but Kedah survived one of the best two-leg semi-finals against Pahang to get a shot at winning the Malaysia Cup for the sixth time.
Kedah made it on the away goals rule after the match was tied 8-8 on aggregate after the second leg semi-finals despite an additional 30 minutes in extra time in Kuantan on Saturday.
Adam admitted that they would face a new and revitalised Kedah in the repeat final.
“I expect the game to be feisty as I consider Kedah one of our closest challengers in the Malaysian League,” said Adam.
“Kedah will fight until the end. In 2017, JDT beat them 2-0 in the final to win their first Malaysia Cup, but that’s the past. This is a new and improved Kedah team.
“Against them, 100% is not enough. We need to be at 200% against Kedah. Their perseverance, commitment and teamwork are their assets, so if we lapse a little, they will surely punish us.”
Throughout the season, JDT coach Benjamin Mora has rotated Adam and two other centrebacks Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak and Mauricio Santos, and the youngster has given some composed performances in the Super League and Malaysia Cup.
Adam has also regularly featured for the national team in the 2022 World Cup-2023 Asian Cup qualifiers, but the former Harimau Muda player admitted that he can only get better.
Always striving to give his best, Adam said he has been criticised at times for his performances but he took it all in his stride and promised to give a good account of himself.
“All the players in JDT have the charisma and calibre to play in any final. The competition will be tough, but that’s the beauty of this team,” he said.
“Anyone who plays in the final will surely give their best, but if I’m starting on Nov 2, I would like to assure everyone that I will give my fullest commitment,” added Adam, who played only in the second-half against Selangor in the second leg.
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