KUALA LUMPUR: Tomislav Steinbruckner recalled last year's Malaysia Cup final between Johor Darul Ta'zim and Selangor at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, and wanting to feel its atmosphere as a coach.
And the Croatian's dream is realised after his team, Terengganu, beat KL City 2-1 in the Malaysia Cup semi-final return leg in Gong Badak on Friday. The Turtles won 4-2 on aggregate.
"I remember watching the game live last year and experiencing the atmosphere.
"I was surprised by it, to see something that was so nice in Malaysia football. Now it will be for the Terengganu club and its state. I hope our fans will meet us at Bukit Jalil," said Steinbruckner.
On Friday, Croatian Ivan Mamut was on target for Terengganu in the 42nd minute and 68th while KL City got one through Romel Morales (51st).
On Mamut's heroics, Steinbruckner said: "I don't want to keep talking about Mamut because we're a team. He's good but there are plenty of youngsters like Ubaidullah Shamsul and Syahmi Zamri.
"Mamut is our main man, our captain but there are a couple of players that deserve the compliments too."
Meanwhile, KL City's Croatian coach Nenad Bacina was disappointed over his failure to take the team to the final, especially when he has big shoes to fill following's Bojan Hodak's departure in the middle of the year.
Bacina refused to answer questions from the media whether KL City's salary issues had affected the players.
"My players are facing mental difficulties but during halftime I told them not to give up.
"At the end of the day, we came here to play football and not to discuss (other matters).
"We entered the game with all these external problems, but the management is doing their best to settle it, and I believe they will."
Terengganu will meet Johor Darul Ta'zim in the Malaysia Cup final on Dec 9 at the National Stadium.