KUALA LUMPUR: The night may have ended in heartbreak for Pahang, but for T. Saravanan, it was a personal triumph long in the making.
The 24-year-old winger from Kapar could have easily been forgotten this season, a player who spent most of the year on the fringes, waiting for a chance that never seemed to come.
When he signed for Pahang from Kuala Lumpur City, Saravanan dreamed of making an impact.
But for much of the season, he remained an unused figure, coming off the bench sporadically, unable to truly show what he could do.
It was a test of patience, of mental strength, and of belief in himself.
“When you don’t get game time, it’s tough,” Saravanan admitted.
“You start doubting yourself. You start questioning if you’re good enough. But I just kept telling myself – wait, work hard, stay ready.”
And when his moment finally arrived, he made sure he seized it.
In the final stretch of the Super League, Saravanan broke into the starting XI, scoring twice and providing two assists in Pahang’s last four matches.
It was enough to convince coach Fandi Ahmad to trust him on the biggest stage of all – the Malaysia Cup final.
On Saturday night at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Saravanan wrote his own story, firing Pahang ahead against the mighty Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the 14th minute with a composed finish.
For a fleeting moment, dreams seemed possible.
“It felt surreal,” he said.
“After everything this season, to score in a final – it’s something I’ll never forget. Many were surprised, because I wasn’t a regular. But inside, I knew what I could do if given the chance.”
JDT, however, showed why they are the champions, coming from behind through Bergson Da Silva and Arif Aiman Hanapi to clinch a 2-1 win.
Yet for Saravanan, the final was more than just the result. It was proof - to himself and to everyone else - that he belonged at this level.
“This final, these last five games – they showed me that I can compete. That I have what it takes,” he said.
“But this can’t be the end. Scoring in a final means nothing if I don’t keep growing. This is just the beginning.”
