Negri Malaysia Cup champions

NEGRI SEMBILAN 3

Shahruain Abu Samah (18 min)
Hairuddin Omar (46 min)
Zaquan Adha (59 min)

KELANTAN 1
Indra Putra Mahayuddin (90 min)

By Neil Siva

KUALA LUMPUR, (Stadiumastro) - Kelantan's bid to end their first silverwear since 1921 fell apart when they lost 3-1 to Negri Sembilan at the Malaysia Cup final on Saturday.

Kelantan’s two previous appearances in the Malaysia Cup finals ended in defeats to Singapore (1-3) in 1955 and Perak (0-2) in 1970.

The Red Warriors, who not only went home empty handed, but are now looking at a hefty fine and even a ban after their fans set fire to chairs and set off fireworks during the match.

Negri, who rode on their underdog status ahead of the match, did their talking on the pitch. A solid strike by Shahruain Abu Samah in the 18th minute followed by a header by Hairuddin Omar and Zaquan Adha's penalty sealed the game at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Kelantan earned their consolation goal through Indra Putra Mahayuddin in the closing stages of the game.

But it was a fiery start at both ends as Kelantan's Norfarhan Muhammad's tackle on Negri's Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak in the eighth minute left the defender needing treatment.

After a rough start, Negri went ahead in the 18th minute through a brilliant strike from Shahruain Abu Samah from the edge of the box. He took advantage of a miskick by Kelantan defender Zamri Ramli.

Still reeling from the goal, Kelantan were again tested when Shahruain sent a glancing header off a corner that forced a diving save from goalkeeper Halim Napi.

At the other end of the pitch, Kelantan captain Indra Putra received the ball from midfield and took on the Negri defence but was blocked by Farizal Harun.

In the 23rd minute, Negri's Mohd Alif Shamsudin was flashed a yellow card when he tripped Norfarhan from behind.

Rain started to fall in the 24th minute but it did little to slow the tempo of play that kept moving from end to end.

Idris Abdul Karim was the second Negri player to be booked when he brought down Kelantan's Daudsu Jamaluddin.

Negri continued to attack as Zaquan used his pace to past the Kelantan defenders but his cross to Hairuddin went to waste after the forward misplaced his shot in the 44th minute as the first half ended 1-0.

Negri came out a full minute earlier than Kelantan after the break and hardly 23 seconds went by before Negri scored again.

Zaquan received a pass on the right and turned a defender before sending a pinpoint cross into the box that found Hairuddin who headed in with the Kelantan defence rooted.

The sea of red Red Warrior fans who vastly outnumbered the Negri fans were a frustrated lot, but things would get worse for them.

A loose ball from midfield was picked up by Shahruain but he was brought down by Zamri Ramli just as he made his way into the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Zaquan made no mistake from the spot sending Halim Napi the wrong way in the 59th minute as Negri were up 3-0.

The brilliant and exciting atmosphere that greeted the start of the match deteriorated quickly as the Kelantan banners fell all around the stadium. Bottles were flung onto the pitch as were fireworks.

Firemen on standyby were also called into action when a chair caught fire in the Kelantan stands as the action moved away from the pitch and into the stands.

But Kelantan could not string together a decent attack and were having to make do with half chances.

Kelantan then earned their consolation goal through Indra Putra who scored from a free-kick that gave no chance to goalkeeper Farizal Harun.

Kelantan will now have to wait another year to see if they can break their jinx in the competition.