KOTA BARU: Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat is ready to thwart his close friend Norshahrul Idlan Talaha’s hopes of winning the FA Cup for Johor Darul Takzim tomorrow.
The two had played together with Kelantan for three seasons, until Norshahrul’s controversial move down south after helping the Red Warriors to the Malaysia Cup, Super League and FA Cup treble last year.
They were also part of the Malaysian side who were triumphant in the Suzuki Cup in 2010.
Now, both players will line up on the opposite ends at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, with only one of them capable of winning the FA Cup for the second straight year.
“We have been playing together for both state and country that it felt weird when I came up against him when Kelantan played JDT in the Super League.
“We are good friends off the pitch, but the friendship goes out of the window for at least 90 minutes when the final kicks off on Saturday,” said Khairul Fahmi.
Norshahrul scored a goal for JDT in their 2-0 home win over Kelantan in the league on May 22.
Apart from Norshahrul, Khairul Fahmi also needs to prevent the likes of fellow national star Safee Sali and Argentine ace Leonel Nunez from breaching his goal for Kelantan to defend the FA Cup. The 24-year-old goalkeeper acknowledged that unlike in the past two years, Kelantan will be in the unfamiliar role of the underdogs tomorrow.
“JDT are the favourites after making heads turn with their acquisition of well-known players this year.
“From my experience, being the favourites adds more pressure on the team to perform.
“In a way, it is favourable for Kelantan as we step into the final without any pressure.
“I expect a 50-50 contest with the team who make the least mistakes on the night going on to take the FA Cup,” said Khairul Fahmi.
Kelantan will be making their fourth appearance in the final, having finished runners-up in 2009 and 2011. JDT, previously known as Johor FC, will be making their first appearance in the final.
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