Harimau Malaya Meluncur ke Perlawanan Akhir Pestabola Merdeka 1993
Pada 14 Februari 1993, Malaysia beraksi di perlawanan akhir Pestabola Merdeka buat kali pertama sejak 1986.
Dalam perjalanan ke final, pasukan kebangsaan menentang FC Aarau pada peringkat separuh akhir. Kelab Switzerland tersebut dikatakan sebagai pesaing yang berhak berada di final setelah menduduki tempat pertama dalam Kumpulan B manakala Malaysia berada di tempat kedua dalam Kumpulan A.
Harimau Malaya menyangkal jangkaan ramai. Padang basah akibat hujan lebat memanfaatkan tuan rumah kerana pasukan pelawat bergelut dengan keadaan licin. Malaysia menjaringkan dua gol pada minit ke-20 dan ke-59 melalui Mubin Mokhtar dan Azman Adnan. Pasukan lawan pula berjaya menghasilkan gol tunggal mereka pada minit ke-69.
Sementara itu, Korea Selatan menewaskan CSKA Sofia 1–0 untuk mara ke perlawanan akhir.
Perlawanan akhir sangat mendebarkan bagi penonton dengan kedua-dua pasukan terikat 1–1 setelah 90 minit. Dollah Salleh memberikan keyakinan awal kepada pasukan kebangsaan apabila menjaringkan gol pada minit ke-3. Sebelum ini, pemain veteran itu telah meledakkan gol dalam perlawanan akhir 1986, di mana Malaysia menewaskan Czechoslovakia 3–0.
Selain itu ialah bintang muda Azman Adnan yang berjaya bermain di bawah tekanan dan memberi kata akhir dalam masa tambahan dengan dua gol pada minit ke-95 dan 108. Selepas perlawanan, Azman berkata jaringan gol beliau pada perlawanan separuh akhir menaikkan keyakinan untuk menyerang dan membuat percubaan ke arah pintu gol lawan. Pasukan Korea Selatan turut memuji persembahan baik Azman.
Suasana gemuruh di Stadium Merdeka sebaik saja wisel penamat dibunyikan. Tiada yang lebih gembira daripada ketua jurulatih Ken Worden yang mengakui perjalanan untuk menguatkan pasukan kebangsaan ini bukannya mudah. Walaupun mereka masih mencari rentak konsistensi, pujian dan penghargaan harus diberikan kepada pemain-pemain yang bekerja keras sepanjang kejohanan.
Malaysia: Khairul Azman, A. Jayakanthan, K. Gunalan, See Kim Seng, P. Maniam, Ahmad Yusof, Azizol Abu Haniffah (Lee Kin Hong), Malek Rahman, Mubin Mokhtar (A. Elanggoven), Azman Adnan, Dollah Salleh
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Harimau Malaya Soars to 1993 Merdeka Cup Final
On February 14, 1993, Malaysia reached the final round of the Merdeka Tournament for the first time since 1986. On their way there, they went up against FC Aarau in the semi-finals.
The Swiss club were said to be worthy contenders as they topped Group B’s leaderboard while Malaysia were placed second in Group A. It was the rainy pitch that worked in the national team’s favour as the visiting team struggled with the slippery conditions. Malaysia managed to land two goals in the 20th and 59th minute, through Mubin Mokhtar and Azman Adnan. Their rivals scored their sole goal in the 69th minute.
Meanwhile, South Korea defeated CSKA Sofia 1–0 to advance to the finals.
The final match was thrilling on all accounts with both teams tied at 1–1 at the 90-minute mark. Dollah Salleh gave the national team confidence early on by scoring in the 3rd minute. The veteran player had previously scored a goal when Malaysia defeated Czechoslovakia 3–0 in the 1986 final.
But it was the young star Azman Adnan who performed tremendously under pressure as he landed two successful shots during extra time (95’ and 108’). Post-match, Azman said that scoring in the semi-finals boosted his confidence to attack and to attempt for as many goals as possible. The South Korean team also spoke highly of his performance.
The atmosphere was electrifying in the Merdeka Stadium when Harimau Malaya soared to victory. No one was happier than head coach Ken Worden, who admitted that his journey to strengthen the national team had not been easy. While they were still striving for consistency, he said they must be commended and rewarded for their hard work.
Malaysia: Khairul Azman, A. Jayakanthan, K. Gunalan, See Kim Seng, P. Maniam, Ahmad Yusof, Azizol Abu Haniffah (Lee Kin Hong), Malek Rahman, Mubin Mokhtar (A. Elanggoven), Azman Adnan, Dollah Salleh
