Up, up and away: Police goalkeeper See Tian Keat punches the ball during the Super League match against Pahang at the Selayang Stadium. Inset: Zainal Abidin hopes that big boys like Pahang and Kedah will continue to play in the Super League next season. — Bernama.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian football legend Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan can’t imagine a Super League without Kedah and Pahang as he believes the competition will lose much of its lustre.
Thus, the former Pahang star hopes that the two troubled teams, especially the Elephants who are contesting the Malaysia Cup final against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on April 12, can resolve their issues and remain in the league.
‘’Let us pray that Pahang and Kedah, two elite teams, can solve their problems and stay in the league. Their presence certainly makes the league better.
“Without them, it’ll be a big loss,’’ said Zainal, who is also an executive committee member of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
“As for Pahang, I hope the players will just focus on the Malaysia Cup final and let the management deal with the issues.’’
JDT owner and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had recently said that Kedah and Pahang won’t be competing in the Super League next season due to internal issues.
The Canaries have responded by stating that their management is trying to meet all club licensing requirements set by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to carry on playing next season.
Meanwhile, Zainal is looking forward to the Malaysia Cup final, which he stressed will be a rematch of the 2014 final when he was Pahang manager.
Then, Pahang beat JDT 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.
“This is an eagerly awaited final. To have JDT and Pahang in the final again is special. I was the Pahang coach in the 2014 final, and I remember the atmosphere and the emotions.’’
