In the first leg FA Cup semi-final clash against Lions XII, they face a stark choice - to regain their reputation as a respectable side this season OR let the "free fall" (a hattrick defeat with nine goals against in the Super League) continue plunging them to a previously unchartered territory. Alternatively, as the Malay idiom would have it, between untung sabut and untung batu, which outcome, with clear, compelling reasons, do they want?
It is entirely up to them, and no one else. Choose one or the other, with the positive or negative consequences as well!
In the old days, the Kallang roar in Singapore would accompany Singapore whenever they played against foreign teams, especially from across the Causeway. Indeed according to unconfirmed "stories", at times even beer bottles were said to have been used by some unruly fans there.
One explosive football match involved the home team against fellow East Coast team, Terengganu neighbour, Kelantan, in the early 70s. They lost 0-2 to Singapore away. But in the return game at SSMIV, they routed Singapore 8-0. Instead of beer bottles, sort of returning the earlier "favour", budu bottles were said to have also found their way amid the euphoria.
Certainly it is not recommended that Terengganu too, adopt such a big risk-taking venture, from the unruly book of annals.
After all, names with Singapore roots such as Ahmad Paijan, Syed Mutalib and Nasir Jalil were also part of the Terengganu's mainstay at one time.
However being mature and professional players and officials, today's Terengganu squad are expected to do their job well - learning their lessons and bringing home the FA Cup to Terengganu. Sensing that the other opportunities are still wrought with risks, current Terengganu football management and fans stress that they want an earlier payback this season; in the form of the FA Cup.
Here are some relevant reminders:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYbtnF9WcZM
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