MELAKA should thank Pahang for ending their misery in this year’s M-League campaign on Sunday.
It has been a problematic season for Zainal Abidin Hassan’s side due to salary issues, which resulted in half-hearted performances in matches.
Their captain Shukor Adan even walked out of the team a few days before their quarter-final first leg match against Pahang last week.
Those in the football fraternity believe Shukor did so following the management’s failure to settle wages on time.
On Sunday, Melaka took on Pahang in the quarter-final return leg in Kuantan after losing 3-0 at home in the first match.
As expected, Melaka were no match for Dollah Salleh’s side, who won the return leg 3-1 for a 6-1 aggregate success to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2015.
Forwards Lazarus Kaimbi (41st minute) and Dickson Nwakaeme (65th and 76th) netted for the home team while Melaka scored through Nazrin Nawi (54th).
Pahang will take on Aidil Sharin Sahak’s Kedah side in the last four.
For the record, Pahang are fourtime winners of the competition, achieved in 1983, 1992, 2013, 2014 .
Melaka were in trouble from the start of the season as they spent over their budget for players. It is believed that some players have not been paid for two months.
The fate of their players and coaches for next season have not been decided yet as Melaka do not want to commit just yet.
As for Zainal, he is leaving it to the Melaka United Soccer Association (Musa) to decide on his future. The former international revealed that Musa have not approached him yet over his contract extension.
“I am ready for any decision. The team have nothing more to look forward to following the defeat to Pahang. Everyone will rest and wait for a decision from Musa,” said Zainal.
On his team’s Malaysia Cup exit, Zainal said his boys fought hard on Sunday although they had lost 3-0 in the first leg.
“We managed to draw level after Pahang had taken a 1-0 lead. However, Pahang’s forwards were sharp and took their chances to seal the tie.
“I think my boys did everything they could, but Pahang were just too good. They have a good team, and I think they will go far.”
Dollah, meanwhile, praised his striker Nwakaeme for his brilliant performance on Sunday.
“Nwakaeme is our key player. We normally do not do well when he is not playing. Yesterday (Sunday), he not only scored a brace but also rallied and motivated his teammates to perform well.
“The Nigerian did a good job as we were without regulars in Safuwan Baharudin, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Nor Azam Azih and Muslim Ahmad who were either injured or suspended.”