Date: Sun, 02 Oct 2011
SINGAPORE, 1st October 2011: The Sultan of Selangor Cup 2011. Shah Alam Stadium was the venue for the 10th edition of the Sultan of Selangor Cup. The majestic stadium was packed to the rafters as veteran players from both sides took to the pitch for the curtain-raiser which ended 3-1 in favour of the Selangor veterans who were captained by Malaysian legend, Zainal Abidin.
As the match kicks-off, the stadium turned into a deafening cauldron as the veteran players g0t things on the way.
The football was played at an expected slow pace, but as the veterans from both sides of the causeway warmed up to the task, the pace picked up and some stylish moves from yesteryears were on show to encapsulate the boisterous crowd.
Albeit their age, the match was played with no love lost between the both sides. Selangor was quick to send a message to the Singapore team as they scored in the eighth minute. A neat one-two between the Selangor players in the Singapore’s penalty box, saw P. Maniam open the scoring when he slotted the ball past Singapore’s custodian, Shahri Rahim.
Some delicate passes once again saw ex-Pahang captain, Zainal Abidin threading a through ball to Dollah Salleh, who made no mistake with the one-on-one, and the Selangor Veterans were soon two nil up.
Singapore Veterans’ substitute, Abdullah Noor, pulls one back for his side just before half-time with a magnificent lob from outside the penalty box. The marvellous strike caught Selangor’s keeper, Rashid Hasan out of position as the ball floated above him and into the net.
The second half saw more urgency from both sides as they pushed for goals. As the Singapore veterans’ side pushed upfront and added pressure on the Selangor’s defence, they simply could not find a way past a stout Selangor defence.
Substitutions were fast and abundant as both teams rotated their players. Selangor made it three on the stroke of the 40th minute though yet again, Dollah Salleh, who proved to be a nuisance for the Singapore defence the whole match.
The match ended after 40 minutes of football, with hugs and high-fives all around. The players from both sides took some time to acknowledge the thousands of fans who came in full support for them.
Ex-Lions skipper, Razali Saad shared his thoughts on the game, “The atmosphere was electric. The crowd was huge and it is the best I have ever seen. Thoroughly enjoyable night of football.”
Another veterans’ player, Steven Tan, echoed the same sentiments and said, “The match was an enjoyable one to play despite us losing the match. This is the kind of crowd atmosphere that excites players and I am sure we are all looking forward to next year’s outing already.
Final Score: Selangor veterans 3 – 1 Singapore veterans
Singapore Veterans’ Starting Line-up: Shahri Rahim, Robert Sim, Razali Saad, Malek Awab (C), Suria Murthi, Leong Kok Fann, Lim Tien Jit, Syed Faruk, V. Sundramoorthy, Ho Kwang Hock, Zainudin Nordin.
Substitutes: Idham Ridhuan, Kamaruzaman Zainal, Tay Peng Kee, Abdullah Noor, Yahya Madon, Ishak Sa’ad, Steven Tan, Yusman Yusof, Nahar Daud, Razali Rashid, D Tokijan, Ahmad Sayuti.
Selangor Veterans’ Starting Line-up: Rashid Hassan, Dato’ Soh Chin Aun, K. Gunalan, Zolkefli Ahmad, Vincent Tambirajah, Dollah Salleh, Zainal Abidin Hassan, Annuar Abu Bakar, Khan Hung Meng, K. Sambagamaran, P. Maniam
Substitutes: Yap Kam Choon, Gunasegaran, Kamaruzaman Yusuf, Ho Hong Siong, Reduan Abdullah, Shahrin Majid, Somasundram, Khalid Ali, Abdul Muin Rahim, P. Dharmalingam, Azlan Johar
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