Perak FA added some silverware their excellent campaign this season when they beat out Terengganu in the final of the Malaysia Cup last weekend.
The Bos Gaurus, who finished second behind Johor Darul Ta’zim in the Malaysian Super League this season, started the game off poorly when a horrendous back-pass set forward Kipre Tchétché through on goal. The Ivorian forward finished smartly after rounding the goalkeeper, sending the Terengganu fans into raptures at a packed Shah Alam Stadium.
A number of chances went begging on either side, before Tchétché completed a brace shortly before the half-time whistle to give his side a clear advantage.
Unwilling to give up, the second half belonged to Perak, as they began their comeback just two minutes after the restart courtesy of a goal from Firdaus Saiyadi. Their commitment to achieving a second goal left major gaps in their defensive line, with goalkeeper Hafizul Hakim playing a vital role in keeping his side in the match.
The equaliser finally came when midfielder Brendan Gan struck an excellent one-touch finish which looped over the stranded goalkeeper and into the back of the net in stoppage time, prompting both massive celebrations and an additional half hour of play.
The tide of the game swung once again, and Perak were unable to make their momentum count as the Turtles took the lead through Faiz Nazir. However, the side’s fighting spirit proved to be invaluable once again, as a own goal from Terengganu defender Igor Zonjic meant that the game would have to be decided from the spot.
Zonjic’s agony was compounded when he missed his side’s first penalty, and a subsequent failure from Cambodia international Thierry Bin meant that the side were two goals down after as many rounds. Nasrullah Haniff’s successful effort did little more than delay Perak’s victory, as Brazilian star Leandro found the net with Perak’s fourth penalty, sealing the win and rounding off what has been a remarkable season for the club.