KUALA NERUS, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Terengganu FC (TFC) head coach, Nafuzi Zain is proud of his squad's achievements this season despite the mission to win the Malaysia Cup going astray in the semi-finals.
According to the 44-year-old coach, his men fought hard to ensure TFC reached the final, but luck was not on the side of the Turtles after losing 2-3 on aggregate to Selangor FC.
The defeat, he said, also hampered TFC's desire to achieve a better record this season after clinching the title of FA Cup runner-up, second place in the Super League and will get to play in the Asian Confederation Cup (AFC) next year.
"We tried our best to reach the final as a final gift to the fans. But we have to accept the quality of the opponents.
"Thank you to all the supporters who have always been with me from start to finish, no matter whether we win or lose," he said at a press conference after the second semi-final match of the Malaysia Cup against Selangor at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium (SSMZA) here, last night.
In the match, TFC managed to defeat The Red The Giants 1-0 through Kipre Tchetche's goal in the 35th minute, but failed to qualify for the final after losing 2-3 on aggregate.
According to Nafuzi, he was also disappointed for failing to take TFC to the final of Malaysia Cup in his last year with TFC.
"I will miss Terengganu... Leaving them after seven years is not an easy thing, but I had to in order to advance my career," he said, who has yet to reveal his direction next season.
Meanwhile, Selangor's veteran handler, Tan Cheng Hoe, said his squad will prepare thoroughly to face Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the final on November 26.
Cheng Hoe who once coached the national team, said that even though the path looks difficult, The Red Giants will try to give their best in their mission to win the championship after their last victory for the prestigious cup in 2015.
"We are aware that JDT have won many trophies and their performance is quite consistent.
"But I still hope to win. In the final anything can happen, the important thing is that every player needs to be focused against JDT," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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