Joyous moment: Selangor coach Nidzam Jamil (third from left) celebrates with his players after their win over Terengganu in the FA Cup second leg semi-final match.
PETALING JAYA: His son’s buddies had told the lad in school that his father would be sacked soon. They are not likely to do so any more.
Selangor coach Nidzam Jamil has taken the team into the final of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win over Terengganu which gave the Giants a 6-4 aggregate victory. They were beaten 2-3 in the first-leg at the Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak on July 19.
Nidzam revealed that his son had come for the semi-final second leg match at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on Saturday, but for a different reason.
“When my son, who rarely attends matches, came for the game and told me that his schoolmates were discussing my position. They said I was going to be sacked.”
The son now will talk about his father’s future exploits with the team as Nidzam was a picture of delight after the game when he was even carried by the players on their shoulders.
He did not hold back during the post-match press conference.
“The last two weeks have not been easy because there was a lot of negativity,” said Nidzam.
“As a coach, I want to give the best with the knowledge and background that I have. I want to bring Selangor to the final.
“Sometimes you can’t battle perceptions, but it is my responsibility to help the team do well.
“Now that we have got the win against Terengganu, the perceptions will change but I know I need to get consistent good results.”
Selangor last qualified for the FA Cup final in 2018, when they were beaten 2-0 by Pahang. They last won the tournament in 2009 when they beat Kelantan 4-1 in a penalty shootout, after holding each other 1-1 during regulation time.
Selangor are one of the most successful clubs in the FA Cup, winning it five times. The other club to have won it five times is Kedah.
Nidzam said now they have confirmed their spot in the final, the aim is to go all the way and win it.
“Our aim is simple, we want to win. In the 2001 FA Cup final, when I was in the team, I didn’t play in the final. We beat Sarawak 1-0, with D. Surendran scoring the winning goal.
“I have been a Selangor fan, played for them and now coaching them. I am glad we are in the final. I am from Kajang, not a big name, just a local coach. We, local coaches, dream of the big occasions. I am glad to have that stage now. I am elated.”
