KUALA LUMPUR: It will be a battle of old and new local football giants when 33-time champions Selangor take on nine-time Super League winners Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
Selangor were a force in the past, but JDT have effectively taken the throne with their dominant performance since the club's rebranding in 2013, thanks to owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
While the Red Giants last won a title seven years ago (2015 Malaysia Cup), JDT have taken 13 trophies across all competitions in the past nine years.
JDT coach Hector Bidoglio said: "You cannot make mistakes in a final. It will be a difficult match.
"We as a club are always growing, and I believe we have not reached our maximum potential yet. We will keep fighting and try our best in the final."
JDT will achieve a treble if they win the Malaysia Cup after victories in the Super League and FA Cup.
They also won the one-off Charity Shield match this year.
The Southern Tigers are solid in all departments, striking a whopping 103 goals thus far, with only 16 conceded this year.
"This title for JDT is important for everyone at the club. To win four cups in one year is very difficult.
"We will try our best to win the trophy and achieve this feat," Bidoglio added.
Selangor's appearance in the final has surprised many as they were not impressive in the league and the FA Cup. The turnaround came when former national coach Tan Cheng Hoe took over the reins in October.
Selangor have won seven, drawn two and lost one under the 54-year-old Cheng Hoe — a sign that the Red Giants are regaining their former self.
"It is great to guide Selangor to the final. JDT are a dominant force, and we are the underdogs tomorrow.
"Everyone has the ambition to win a title, but we have to be realistic. I am still new at Selangor, so it would be unfair to pressure the players by setting a target. Of course, we will come in with a plan to win the title," said Cheng Hoe.
Selangor have scored 58 goals and conceded 38 in all competitions this season. The Red Giants will be without Yazan Al-Arab following his red card against Terengganu in the semi-finals.