retain the Malaysian Chinese FA (MCFA) Cup crown
which they won last year.
And for the second successive year,
they made Negri Sembilan play the bridesmaid role.
With the two teams crossing swords in a repeat final
at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Saturday,
Penang not only repeated the act of coming from behind
to force a penalty shoot-out,
but when they trooped out 3-0 winners after both teams
fought to a 2-2 stalemate at extra time,
it was a repeat of last year success at the State Stadium in Batu Kawan.
For Penang coach Teoh Choon Kheng,
who has always been termed as the man with a Midas touch
for his string of success in charting their
football fortunes in the MCFA Cup challenge,
it not only meant adding another feather to his cap,
but it spelt a record fifth success from just as many
assignments handling the Penang side.
This year win was even more meaningful because
the Penang Chinese FA will be celebrating
its 80th anniversary next month.
We have every reason to feel proud as we succeeded
in turning the odds against Negri Sembilan
for the second successive year,
said Choon Kheng shortly after their return from Seremban on Sunday.
Although we were left searching ourselves by the two early blows
Negri Sembilan had delivered at us on Saturday,
I am proud that we never for a moment felt disheartened enough
to throw in the towel.
With my players determined to bring home the Cup as a special gift
for our association big bash,
they never gave up and fought on as if their life depended on it.
Displaying what I would term as our best performance of the season,
we were richly rewarded.
While it enabled us to repay the association for their good support,
it also helped me to fulfill the dream of trooping out as
champion in all five occasions while I was the Penang coach.
A former State player,
Choon Kheng achieved back to back honours in 2000 and 2001,
beating Kuala Lumpur on both occassions.
When he was again made coach in 2003,
after Penang lost in the 2002 final against Perak,
he snagged his third title when they handed Selangor a 5-2 beating.
Now, after a decade since his first major MCFA Cup triumph,
Choon Kheng has again registered yet another back to back honours,
with Negri Sembilan as his new victim.
Negri Sembilan looked good to regain the title they last won in 2007,
when the took a control of last year final.
But a late equaliser turned their dreams into a nightmare with
Penang staging a polished act to troop out 4-2 winners in the shootout.
Then as if lightning do strike twice,
Negri Sembilan found themselves on the receiving end again.
Despite grabbing a comfortable 2-0 lead in just a space of 11 minutes,
with Tan Hock Chuan giving them a dream opening minute goal,
and Sar Chen Yang doubling it just 10 minutes,
they failed to exploit on their advantage.
And the moment they allowed Penang to narrow the deficit
through Ooi Eng Hock in the 29th mninute,
it spelt trouble as it sparked off a Penang revival.
The greatly inspired Penang swung back into the hunt immediately
on the restart and their continuous pressure told
on the Negeri Sembilan defence.
Giving away a penalty at the stroke of half time,
striker Tan Tat Seng made sure that the islanders trooped back
to the dressing room on level terms
when he firmly planted home his spot kick.
(Penang Chinese Football Team) 槟城华人足球队
Although Penang failed to add any more goals despite dominating
the proceedings in the second half,
their eagerness to make their 80th anniversary celebration a more memorable affair,
saw them produced another sparkling show in the ensuing
shootout decider to retain their MCFA Cup crown with a 3-0 win.
(Left: Dato Soh Chin Aun ; Right: Christopher Khoo)
(左：拿督苏进安 前大马国家队队长）
Negri Sembilan coach Christopher Khoo Wai Leong,
who was disappointed that they let slipped
a comfortable two-goal lead,
said they only have themselves to blame for the defeat
as they were overly confident.
We took it a little too easy and was unable to stay focused on our target,
said Christopher,
who has two MCFA Cup titles under his belt for leading Negri Sembilan
to back to back honors in 2006 and 2007.
Negeri Sembilan Chinese Football Team
Player from Labis, Sar Chen Yang.
(No.1 from right @ Standing row)
森美兰华人足球队
拉美士球员 徐剑扬 （后排 右一）
Johore Chinese Football Team
Player from Labis, Ser Zhi Long
(No.3 from right @ Standing row)
柔佛华人足球队
拉美士球员 徐志龙 （后排 右三）
Group Stage Standing
Semi Final:
Penang 2 Johore 1
(Penang won on agg. 4 - 3);
Negeri Sembilan 1 Perak 0
(agg. Negeri 1 Perak 1,
Negeri Sembilan won on penalty kicks 3 - 2)
Final:
Penang 2 N.Sembilab 2
(Negeri Sembilan won on penalty kicks 3 - 0)
(资料与图片 来自 TheStar & Facebook.com)
