PETALING JAYA: Call him Hattrick Hidalgo. Manuel Hidalgo warmed up for Christmas – and his wedding – by scoring all three goals in his team’s 3-3 draw against Perak in the Malaysia Cup quarter-final second leg game at the Temerloh Stadium on Sunday.
The draw sent the Elephants into the semi-finals on a 4-3 aggregate.
The Argentinian got his first as early as the fifth minute with a sensational solo goal, when he dribbled past two defenders on the byline, before beating Perak goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli from an acute angle.
The 25-year-old added two more in the 30th and 45th minute from the penalty, all with his left foot.
Perak’s goals were scored by winger Wan Zack Wan Haikal (eighth), Filipino centreback Jesper Nyholm (41st) and playmaker Ahmad Daniel Hakimi Ahmad Azmil (54th).
Hidalgo’s hattrick, however, was the toast of Temerloh with fans calling it the perfect Christmas gift.
“Happy to close the year with three goals and a pass to the semi-finals. Proud of my teammates for this battle, all together,” said the player, who is on-loan from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
Hidalgo has returned to Argentina for Christmas, but his coach Fandi Ahmad revealed there is more than the festivities for him in his home nation.
“I am happy for Manu because he is returning to Argentina not just for Christmas. He is getting married as well. I took him out in the 82nd minute even though he wanted to play, but I said he needed the rest before his wedding. I am happy for the lad.
“The hattrick was an amazing gift for Pahang because we are in the semi-finals, and also something for his future wife to cheer about when they return home.”
Fandi, though, wished his side had not conceded three goals at home, but was happy about the Malaysia Cup semi-final spot.
“The game was good for both sides. Perak attacked us aggressively knowing they were 0-1 behind from the first-leg,” said the Singaporean.
“We have been making mistakes from set-pieces and that is how we conceded some goals. Perak did try but we switched to 5-3-2 in the dying stages of the game.
“But we are in the next stage. I am grateful. We learn from this game to be even better in the upcoming matches. We aim to get to the final. We do not know who we are facing but must be ready for any possibility.”
Pahang will resume football duties next year when they take on Negri Sembilan in the Super League on Jan 10.
