Bittersweet experience for Selangor fans as Singapore turn tables on them again

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THE 10th Sultan of Selangor’s Cup match on Saturday night was successful in offering the fans nostalgic memories of Selangor and Singapore’s glorious and colourful football history.

It has rekindled the bitter rivalry between the two sides during the time when Singapore was allowed to take part in the Malaysia Cup.

The keenly contested match between the Selangor Selection and Singapore team showed both teams’ remarkable history in the Malaysia Cup.

Good match: Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah presenting the trophy and cheque to the Singapore team. On his right is organising committee chairman Datuk Abdul Karim Munisar.

The atmosphere at the stadium spoke for itself as more than 60,000 fans came in full force to show their support.

Banners bearing messages such as “Die Hard Singapore”, “Win Selangor” and “Go Selangor” revealed how a match between the two giants had not lost its intensity.

The euphoria at the stadium was just fantastic as almost the whole area was filled with the red and yellow colours of the Selangor team.

In the match, Singapore defeated Selangor through a 65th minute own goal by Selangor defender Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar who headed the ball into his own net.

A Selangor fan Ibrahim Salleh, 43, said this was the first time that he had watched the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup match and the atmosphere was electrifying.

Go Selangor: (from left) Nazlin Yusof, 21, and Nabillah Abd Razak, 22, posing with the Selangor banner.

He said he had not expected that many fans and the atmosphere was like of one from a Malaysia Cup final between the teams in the past.

“This match gave me the opportunity to go down memory lane when Selangor and Singapore used to face each other for the Malaysia Cup,’’ he said.

The match between the teams also for the first time saw the inclusion of foreign players in the Selangor team.

Certainly, the presence of the two former English Premier League players in Jason McAteer and Jesper Blomqvist provided more glitter to the match.

Besides the winning trophy, Singapore walked away with the RM50,000 prize money and Selangor received RM10,000.

With the win, Singapore has won the Cup for a total of five times, one more than Selangor who have won four. The teams were declared joint champions on one occasion following a draw.

The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup series was first incepted in 2001 and Selangor last won the Cup in 2008 with a 4-2 scoreline.

Prior to the kick-off, Selangor fans were offered some consolation when their veterans defeated Singapore 3-1.

All for Red Giants: Selangor fans, in full red and yellow regalia, showing their loyalty during the Sultan’s Selangor Cup match.

The match which was offered as a kicker to the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup saw Selangor head coach and former international P. Maniam scoring the first goal. Former national striker Dollah Salleh netted a brace.

Meanwhile, Singapore scored through Abdullah Noor.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah gave away the trophy, medals and prizes to the players. Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim was also present to lend his support.