Football: Tale of two skippers

PENANG: Midfielder Manzoor Azwira is a rookie skipper. And he is hoping for some “beginner’s luck.” 

Perlis will be away to Perak in the semi-final second-leg in Ipoh on Saturday and Manzoor hopes he will not come up short as the Northern Lions to bid make the Cup final date on Sept 16. The state of the tie stands at 0-0. 

LOOKING FOR LUCK: Manzoor Azwira and Mohd Hardi Jaafar (inset) are both rookie skippers looking forward to a place in the Malaysia Cup final.

“I have to admit that Perak hold the advantage after denying us the lead in the first leg match. They will also be enjoying good home support,” said Manzoor. 

“But we will not be overawed by the occasion. We have an experienced side and will be able to cope with the pressure. 

“In fact, we were unlucky not to take a healthy lead to Ipoh. We were creative and dominated the first-leg match. We hope that luck will be on our side on Saturday.” 

The Northern Lions have an even record in matches at the Perak Stadium this season. In the Super League, they were beaten 0-4 in the first round match but chalked up a 2-0 win in the third round. 

Last year, Perlis eliminated Perak at the same stage of the competition. And Manzoor is quietly hoping that history will repeat itself on Saturday to take him a step closer to his dream of becoming the second Perlis skipper to lift the prestigious trophy. 

National defender Mohd Kaironnisam Shahabuddin, who played for Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) this season, was the first Perlis skipper to hold aloft the Cup after the Northern Lions defeated Kedah in the 2004 final.  

But defender Feriza Ismail was not so lucky in last year’s final against Selangor. 

Manzoor, who has never been skipper in his football career until this season, is certainly eyeing his greatest moment. First, though, he has to get his team to clear the Perak hurdle.