KUALA LUMPUR – Sri Pahang head coach Fandi Ahmad has called for fair and consistent officiating ahead of his side’s Malaysia Cup final showdown with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) tomorrow.
The 62-year-old Singaporean said he would accept defeat if JDT – the overwhelming favourites – prove the better side, but insisted the officiating must be impartial.
“I don’t mind losing this game — I don’t want to put too much pressure on my team, especially since some of them lack experience playing in a final,” said Fandi at the pre-match press conference at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium today.
“But what I really hope for is to see an improvement in the standard of officiating when the match kicks off tomorrow. All we ask for is fair refereeing — nothing biased.
“Prosperity thrives where justice prevails — what I strongly believe in. Winning and losing are part of the game. What matters is transparency and honesty.”
Fandi has been critical of refereeing standards in the past, notably after Sri Pahang’s 3-1 defeat to JDT in the Super League last December, where he suggested decisions went against his side.
Looking ahead to the final, he urged his players to embrace their underdog status and not be intimidated by JDT’s reputation.
“There’s no need to be afraid or intimidated, even though we’re without Kpah Sherman due to injury,” he said.
“What’s important is to stay positive — negativity will only make things worse.
“We’ve also been training at the Akademi Mokhtar Dahari in Gambang to adjust to conditions similar to Bukit Jalil. The players are motivated.
“Whether we win or lose, we’ll give JDT a real fight. Everyone knows they’re the favourites and we’re the underdogs. We’ll fight until the final whistle.”
JDT head coach Hector Bidoglio, meanwhile, is focused on completing a third consecutive domestic treble, adding to the Super League and FA Cup titles already secured.
“It’s been a long season and the players have worked hard since the beginning of the campaign, so collectively we deserve to add this trophy to our cabinet,” he said.
“Of course, Pahang are a good team — they’re in the final for a reason. But we’re not overly concerned about our opponents.
“Our main goal is to achieve the target and follow our boss’s vision, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.”
JDT reached the final after a dominant 6-1 aggregate win in the semi-finals at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on January 17.
Pahang booked their spot following a 3-2 aggregate win over Sabah, having drawn the first leg 1-1 at Stadium Likas the following day.
The Elephants last reached the Malaysia Cup final in 2014, where they defeated JDT 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. — April 25, 2024