Sultan of Selangor's Cup returns to S'pore

The Sultan of Selangor's Cup returns to Singapore for the first time since 2009 and Fandi Ahmad hopes that home advantage will give the host a boost.

The May 6 exhibition match between a selection team from the Malaysian state and another from the S-League will be held at the National Stadium.

Fandi will coach the Singapore team and the former Lions captain is eager to even the head-to-head record. Selangor lead 7-6.

He said yesterday: "It's all about friendship but it's also a match between two main rivals. Every time we step onto the pitch, whether for 10 minutes or an entire game, we can feel the rivalry.

"It's kind of a reunion for us, but we've got to bring the best players because we want to win it."

Neither side's squad list has been confirmed but Fandi was keen to send out a strong line-up.

He has shortlisted Tampines Rovers striker Khairul Amri, 32, and Garena Young Lions midfielder Hami Syahin, 18.

This year's edition will also see a new Singapore-Selangor Schools Challenge Cup, pitting Under-16 players from the Singapore Sports School against a combined-schools team from Selangor.

Organising co-chairman Tan Sri Dato Abdul Karim Munisar said he has booked 120 buses to ferry Selangor fans across the Causeway, and he promised to fill 10,000 seats.

Not wanting to be outdone, Fandi joked: "We just need a bit more... 15,000. Mr Teo (Hock Seng, the organising co-chairman) will sponsor."

Alvin Chia

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 18, 2017, with the headline Sultan of Selangor's Cup returns to S'pore. Subscribe