Personal glory not important, says Fandi Ahmad ahead of Sri Pahang’s Malaysia Cup showdown with JDT

Fandi Ahmad (main image), didn’t realise he is on the verge of emulating a feat that has only happened once in the history of the Malaysia Cup.

When the legendary Singaporean striker leads Sri Pahang out at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, to face the juggernaut that is Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Fandi could become only the second foreigner to win the Malaysia Cup as a player and coach.

Selangor’s Mehmet Durakovic – born in Titograd, Yugoslavia, but an Australian citizen – lifted the trophy with the Red Giants in 1995, 1996, and 1997. He then coached Selangor to their record-extending 33rd title in 2015 and repeated the feat with Perak in 2018.

Fandi, a five-time Malaysia Cup winner as a player – with Kuala Lumpur (1987, 1988, 1989), Pahang (1992) and Singapore (1994) – now stands on the brink of replicating Durakovic’s coaching success.

“I didn’t know I could be the second foreigner to win the cup as a player and coach. I don’t think of personal glory. To me, what’s important is Sri Pahang,” Fandi told Twentytwo13.

“JDT is the favourite, but we have a chance – football is a funny game. Anything can happen on the pitch.

“Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game, but of course, I hope we win. I can guarantee my players will give their best in the final.”

Alongside him is someone equally familiar with lifting the prestigious trophy – Sri Pahang manager Dollah Salleh. As a player, Dollah won the 1985 tournament with Johor and was Fandi’s teammate during Pahang’s 1992 triumph.

As a coach, he has claimed the cup with three teams: MPPJ FC (2003), Selangor (2005), and Pahang (2013).

But standing in their way is the near-invincible JDT, eyeing a fifth Malaysia Cup title.

JDT began its season with the Charity Shield, awarded by walkover after Selangor FC’s request to postpone the May 10 match was denied – days after winger Faisal Halim was splashed with acid at a mall in Kota Damansara. The attack left Faisal with severe scarring on his left arm, face, and head.

Though Faisal returned to action and even played for Malaysia in a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Nepal last month (March 26), the case remains unresolved.

In the FA Cup final on Aug 24, JDT thrashed Selangor 6-1 to secure its third consecutive title. It was nearly flawless in the Malaysia Super League, winning 23 of 24 matches and finishing with 70 points.

Selangor finished a distant second on 52, while Sri Pahang ended the season in eighth place with just 29 points, after seven wins, eight draws, and nine defeats.

Can Fandi and Dollah pull off the impossible and stop JDT’s clean sweep? Or will Johor fans have yet another reason to celebrate the ‘special holiday’ the state government declared in honour of the team?