In the end of was one team with nine points and three other teams with eight points, leaving goal difference to be the separator as to who followed JDT into the next stage of the Malaysia Cup. Kelantan eventually came out victorious in that one, after late heroics from Nik Akif Syahiran in the second minute of added time.
Having gone into the match against JDT as leaders of Group C, MIFA were looking fairly confident and knew that even if they had lost the match, a combination of factors had to happen for them to be knocked out of the competition.
But that was exactly what transpired with MIFA losing by three goals while Kelantan gained their precious two. Had MIFA prevented from conceding a second unnecessary penalty seven minutes before the end of the match, they could have gone through.
“If we look at the team’s performance tonight, of course I’m not happy even though they were committed and were able to defend well in the first half. But after we won possession, we weren’t able to pass and keep the ball."
"If we compare the first game away to JDT to tonight, tonight wasn’t very good," explained a frustrated K. Devan in the post match press conference.
MIFA did have their chance to score in the first half when import Bae Beom-geun saw his free kick tipped over the bar by Farizal Marlias and he was again involved later in the half, failing to keep his shot under the bar after some good work from L'imam Seydi on the right wing.
The defeat ended a very decent 2018 season from Devan and MIFA with the management of the team now on the lookout for potential sponsors to keep their team going next season. Should a big investor come in, Devan could well be looking at proper investment in the playing squad and making another good go at promotion to the Super League.
