The Singapore Premier League Selection side, 17 August 2024.
KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST 2024 – The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup tournament, returning after a four-year hiatus, was held at the iconic Merdeka Stadium and saw Singapore and Selangor renew their long-standing football rivalry that dates back to the 1920s. Despite a valiant effort and enduring challenging conditions, the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Selection was narrowly defeated 2-1 by the Selangor Selection held on Saturday night. The result marked Selangor’s third consecutive victory in the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup, following their wins in 2018 and 2019, bringing their total number of titles to 10.
Torrential rain threatened to halt the match proceedings, 17 August 2024.
The match faced an early threat from torrential rain, which very nearly threatened to have the game called off. The Singapore supporters who had traveled from Singapore since 6:30 am that morning, were caught in the downpour, seeking whatever shelter they could as they braved the elements. Despite the adverse weather and the challenging conditions, the fans stayed on with unwavering support throughout the match, though they had to head home immediately after the final whistle.
On the field, the SPL Selection defence, led by captain for the night, Balestier Khalsa’s Madhu Mohana as well as BG Tampines Rovers goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari, proved resilient under intense pressure from the Selangor Selection attack. Syazwan made a series of crucial saves, including a remarkable block from Faisal Halim’s strike and a key save during injury time in the first half, keeping the score level.
Captain Madhu Mohana and teammate Jordan Emaviwe marshalling the SPL Selection side’s defence, 17 August 2024.
The second half saw Singapore’s resolve tested further. Although the SPL Selection, managed by Balestier Khalsa’s Peter de Roo, fought hard, they fell behind when substitute Ronnie Fernandez scored for Selangor in the 82nd minute after managing to find space in the Singapore penalty box to place the ball beyond Syazwan’s dive. The SPL Selection side responded with determination and managed to level the score just five minutes later when Young Lions forward Farhan Zulkifli delivered a pin-point cross for BG Tampines Rovers striker Faris Ramli to head home and trigger wild celebrations from the Singapore end.
With the result seemingly headed for a stalemate, the match reached a dramatic conclusion when Selangor was awarded a contentious penalty in added time. Young Lions defender Nur Adam Abdullah was adjudged to have bundled over a Selangor player and despite grievances by the SPL team, referee Ngo Dyu Lan from Vietnam stuck to his decision. Despite Syazwan’s initial save, Alvin Fortes seized the rebound to score the decisive goal and secure the 2-1 victory for Selangor.
Faris Ramli celebrates scoring for the Singapore Premier League Selection side, 17 August 2024.
Earlier in the day, the Singapore Veterans team also encountered defeat, losing by a similar 2-1 scoreline to their Selangor counterparts. Goals from Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan and Asmawi Bakiri put Selangor in the lead, with Geylang International Coach Noor Ali scoring a late consolation goal for the visitors.
Mohd Noor Ali in action for the Singapore Veterans side, 17 August 2024.
The tournament, held after a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was graced by His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and was preceded by an impressive opening ceremony featuring a parachute display by the Royal Malaysia Police Air Wing Unit, amazing fireworks as well as a musical performance by Malaysia’s pop icon Datuk Jamal Abdillah that captivated the 20,000-sold out crowd in attendance.
Thank you to all who came to support the Singapore Teams at the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup 2024, 17 August 2024.
The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup 2024
Selangor Selection 2-1 Singapore Premier League Selection
Ronnie Fernandez 82’, Alvin Fortes 90+1’ | Faris Ramli 87′
Singapore Selection: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Nur Adam Abdullah, Darren Teh (Irfan Najeeb 45’), Madhu Mohana © (Jared Gallagher 76’), Jordan Emaviwe, Ho Wai Loon (Joshua Pereira 59’), Riku Fukashiro, Alen Kozar (Ryoya Taniguchi 68’), Faris Ramli, Taufik Suparno (Farhan Zulkifli 63’), Kodai Tanaka.
Unused subs: Hafiz Ahmad (GK), Naqiuddin Eunos, Daniel Goh.
Selangor Veterans 2-1 Singapore Veterans
Zainal Abidin Hassan 3′, Asmawi Bakiri 19′ | Md Noor Ali 30+2′
Singapore Veterans: Rezal Hassan (GK), Razali Saad, E Manimohan, Nazri Nasir, Rafi Ali, Nahar Daud, Steven Tan, Mohd Noor Ali, Fandi Ahmad (C), Tan Sio Beng, Tay Peng Kee.
Subs: Syed Faruk, Fahmie Abdullah, Kamarulzaman Zainal, Azhar Baksin, Aliimran Lomri, Dalis Supait, Leong Kok Fan, Zulkarnaen Zainal, Shaari Rahim.
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