WHICH football tournament in Malaysia is likely to get states giving a public holiday for winning it? The Super League, FA Cup or Malaysia Cup?
The answer is the Malaysia Cup, the “least valuable” of the three competitions.
That despite the Super League being the most prized for it offers the winners a direct entry to the AFC Champions League group stage while the FA Cup winners get to play in the AFC Championships League (playoff stage) or AFC Cup, both continental tournaments.
But states tend to declare a public holiday for a Malaysia Cup success, not so much the other two tournaments.
Johor got a public holiday on Sunday after JDT beat Kedah 3-0 in the Malaysia Cup final on Saturday. The Kedah government, on the eve of the final, had announced there would be a state holiday if they won the Malaysia Cup final.
The Malaysia Cup is significant to many people in the country. And for many fans, it has a special place in their hearts.
The oldest tournament in Malaysia, it was first held in 1921. Many fans grew up with the Malaysia Cup, a hallowed tournament filled with nostalgia.
Remarkably, the Malaysia Cup final can easily pack the 80,000 capacity National Stadium more than any big Super League match or the FA Cup final.
And the fact that the Malaysian Football League holds the Malaysia Cup after the Super League and FA Cup, gives it a kind of grand finale feeling.
But many fans, especially the young ones, are stressing the importance of the Super League, which is like Liverpool or Manchester United winning the EPL title to the English fans. And the FA Cup too.
FHR Sports Consultancy managing director Firdaus Johari, who is a JDT fan, said it is better for a team to be proud of their Super League and FA Cup titles.
“They offer tickets to the AFC Champions League, and the country’s league standards will improve if we compete in this competition. The Malaysia Cup can be considered a year-end bonus should they succeed.
“Fans are excited because it’s the last match of the season, so whoever emerge as the winner will seem like overall champions. It’s the fans who are building up the hype of the final, making it carnival-like.
Another fan, Rizal Iskandar, 38, said earning the Super League title will boost a team’s profile and popularity.
“The team will also cement their reputation as Malaysia’s best.
“The Malaysia Cup is nostalgic due to its long history and prestige but it’s nothing more than just a national achievement. Winning it is not a priority but a pursuit nevertheless.”
Social media planner Khairul Nizam Arifin, who is a Kuala Lumpur fan, said winning the Super League title is the pinnacle of domestic competition.
“When a team win the FA Cup, they still need to go through the AFC Champions League qualifiers.
“The Malaysia Cup is for the history of it.
“If a team win the league, it proves the overall strength and consistency of the team.”
Another fan, Aizat Alif Azmi said the Malaysia Cup is special because of its history but it also serves a good purpose.
“It’s good because it helps give extra playing time (more matches) for teams in Malaysia.”
Perak fan, Nelson Amritraj, 26, who is a junior accountant, paraphrased Manchester United legendary manager Alex Ferguson who said the league, above all else, is the toughest to win.
“The Super League and FA Cup offer tickets to Asian tournaments, there is great value. It is beneficial for my team to prioritise these two rather than the Malaysia Cup. I think in the old days, it’s the Malaysia Cup with all its pomp and splendour.”