NEGERI SEMBILAN CROWN AS MALAYSIA CUP CHAMPION 2009

After long long awaited years dated back since 1948 Negeri Sembilan last won the HMS Malaya Cup (now known as the Malaysian Cup) 61 years later they were crown as the new Malaysian Cup champion in 2009 when they defeated Kelantan 3-1 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, last night.

What a wait and what a coincidence it happens when Negeri Sembilan is still celebrating the pronouncing of their new ruler Tuanku Munawir as the new Yang DiPertuan Besar. His Royal Highness recieved his biggest present from the Negri Sembilan Football Association (NSFA) by winning the cup  for him who was the guest of honour watching the match. Also it was a memorable night as the ruler himself presented the trophy to the winners.

Watch by more than 100,000 football fans, Negri Sembilan drew first blood when Shuhairain Abu Samah who scored the winning goal in the SUKMA final once again did a favour for Negri broke the deadlock in the 19th minute.

Shuhairain who was unmarked punished a mistake by one of the Kelantan's defender just outside the box hits it first time which gave Kelantan's goalkeeper Halim Napi no chance for Wan Jamak's side to take a 1-0 lead. The match fails to live the crowd expectation and its make much worse with heavy downpour before the break.

In the second half, B.Sathianathan made two changes by bringing in Khalid Jamlus and Cik Hishamuddin to beef up the attack. But they found themselves trailing by 2-0 a minute after the kick-off when Hairuddin Omar scored a free-header which flew over Halim Napi.

The game start to looks more lively with the east coast began to launch attacks and tried to get back into the match hoping to reduce the deficit but the Negri defence marshall by experience Shukor Adan and Aidil Abd Razak stood firm. With two goals already in the bag, Negri began to dominate the match and looks certain to score another goal.

And it did when Shuhairain ran past a Kelantan defender but was brought down in the box with referee Mohd Yusof did not hesitate pointing to the penalty spot. Striker Zaquan Abd Razak step up and cleanly sending Halim Napi the wrong way for Negri third goal. To mark this special night Negri truly deserved to take the trophy by creating perfect winning record in their run up to the final.

It was too much for the 60,000 travelling Kelantan's fans and they start to empty the stadium for their long journey home. Kelantan's captain Indera Putera Mahyuddin scored a beauty into the right corner direct from a free-kick in injury time but it was already too late to save the match. When the final whistle blew Negri fans roars in delight celebrating their team triumph in winning the cup for the first time.