Kuching City head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak has called on his players to embrace the moment and fight fearlessly ahead of the club’s biggest match in history of Piala Malaysia Final 2025/26 against defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Aidil admitted motivation remains a crucial element for his squad despite the magnitude of the occasion, as Kuching City prepare for their first-ever Malaysia Cup final appearance.
“We are not a big club and we are still new in this arena, so motivation is always important,” said Aidil.
“The players know how massive this final is. Opportunities like this do not come often, so everyone is excited and looking forward to giving their best.”
The Singaporean tactician reflected proudly on the rapid rise of Kuching City under his leadership, revealing that the club’s progress has exceeded expectations after initially targeting success within three years.
“When I arrived, I promised the president that we would take Kuching City to another level within three years, but it happened in just two years,” he explained.
“That credit belongs entirely to the players because they work hard every single day. We may not have big stars or famous names, but we have unity, character and commitment.”
Aidil also praised the professionalism shown by his squad throughout the campaign, especially during difficult moments in the season.
“There were tough periods, but the boys always bounced back strongly. That mentality is what brought us here,” he added.
Despite facing the dominant force of Malaysian football, Aidil insisted his players would not enter the final intimidated by JDT’s reputation and recent dominance.
The Southern Tigers are chasing a fourth consecutive Malaysia Cup crown, but the Kuching City boss believes belief and hunger can still create history.
“We are not coming here just to participate,” he said firmly.
“We want to prove why we deserve to finish second in the league, why we deserve to play in the ACL, and why we deserve to be in this final.”
Aidil also urged his players to remain calm during the opening stages of the match and avoid being overwhelmed by the atmosphere and pressure.
“I hope the players are excited, but not too excited. The first 15 to 20 minutes will be very important. They must settle down and focus because finals are different.”
Meanwhile, Kuching City captain James Okuwuosa described the club’s remarkable journey to the final as a major achievement for both the team and the people of Sarawak.
“This is a huge achievement for us,” said Okuwuosa.
“The people in Sarawak are very passionate about football. The younger players are eager to learn and improve every day, and moments like this become motivation for everyone.”
The Nigerian defender, who previously played for PDRM FC before joining Kuching City, also highlighted the importance of togetherness within the squad.
“We focus more on ourselves rather than individual opponents. We want to build a strong understanding as a defensive unit because in the future, especially in Asia, we will face even more quality strikers.”
Okuwuosa stressed that belief remains the key factor heading into the final showdown.
“As long as football is played for 90 minutes, anyone can be defeated,” he declared.
“Kuching City has already shown that with hard work and belief, anything is possible.”
The final now presents Kuching City with the opportunity to complete one of Malaysian football’s most inspiring underdog stories, while JDT continue their pursuit of another domestic trophy to extend their era of dominance.
Credit Photo : MFL
