Final 2nd Leg Press Conference in Full

Pahang Rangers FC and Selangor FC faced the media at KOMBES, Shah Alam, on Friday 30 October, the evening before the MPFL 2026 Final 2nd Leg. Pahang Rangers won the first leg 4-3 at SUKPA. This is the press conference in full, lightly edited for clarity.

Pahang Rangers FC: Eloy Alonso and Akmarulnizam

Pahang Rangers head coach Eloy Alonso and captain Akmarulnizam took the first session.

Question: A few words on tomorrow's final?

Eloy Alonso: Yes, tomorrow is the big final for us. It is a big achievement to be here, in the final. As I said before the first game, we had extra motivation after we beat JDT in the semi-final, and after the first game our motivation is higher because we are getting closer. So for us it is very good to be here, and of course we focus on the game.

Akmarulnizam: Tomorrow is our final, the last game for all of us. We came here to be champions, and to get revenge for last year.

Question: Coach, will tomorrow be tougher and bigger than SUKPA?

Eloy Alonso: Yes, we know the game is totally different, because now Selangor play at home. They are the big favourites. They need to win. So for me this game is completely different. We need to be focused, with our heads in the game each minute, each play during the 40 minutes, and we will see. But of course it is a big final here with their fans, and it is totally different.

Question: Is there a lot of pressure on your side?

Eloy Alonso: No. We are here in a good moment, in a good situation. Like I told you, they are the big favourites, so they have the pressure now. We will see how the game goes. But we need to play our game and focus on our game.

Question: How do you rate your chances of being champions?

Eloy Alonso: I hope so, of course. But we know it is so difficult. We need to do the same as in the semi-final and the first leg. In this final we need to be focused, play our game and think about ourselves, and little by little we will see how the game goes. But we need to look after our team first.

Question: Will it be a safe approach, like the first leg?

Eloy Alonso: No. For us, this is our project, and our project is starting now, here in the big final. The first year has been amazing. We know Selangor are at their peak, their top moment, after four years working together. 80% of their players have worked many years to be here. For us it is our first year, and we have the big prize of being here. So now we need to fight until the end of this game.

Question: Do you expect tomorrow to be more difficult than the first leg?

Akmarulnizam: For me, tomorrow is more difficult than the first leg, because our record here is not that great. So we will see how it goes tomorrow.

Question: You only need a draw tomorrow to be champions. Is that an advantage?

Akmarulnizam: There is a slight advantage. But we did not come here to defend. We will still play the same game plan as in the first leg.

Question: Are you comfortable with the underdog status, and is this a chance for revenge?

Akmarulnizam: That is right, I agree. It is a chance for revenge. Like I said earlier, we have let a lot of chances slip. There is a chance, but we will see how it goes.

Question: How important is mentality in controlling the game?

Akmarulnizam: To me our mentality has to be strong tomorrow. We have to avoid red cards and all that. God willing, we can do it.

Question: Do you expect a more aggressive approach from Selangor and another intense game?

Eloy Alonso: Yes, for sure. More intense than the first game, for sure. For us the key is defence: defending very well with a strong mentality. It is a big task, because they need to win. For us it is focus, focus, focus on the small details, because in this kind of game the small details make the difference.

Question: A message for the fans?

Eloy Alonso: One more time, I want to say thank you to our fans. After the first leg, they showed everyone again that we have the best fans in Malaysia. If the situation were different, I am sure they would be here tomorrow in big numbers. We can feel that they are with us and pushing the team.

Akmarulnizam: Thank you so much for supporting Pahang Rangers from the beginning. Tomorrow, for the next game, keep supporting us.

Selangor FC: Edgar Baldasso and Mohd Khairul

Selangor head coach Edgar Baldasso and captain Mohd Khairul took the second session.

Question: A few words on tomorrow's final?

Edgar Baldasso: Tomorrow is the second leg, at our home. I think we will finish a great season with our fans here. I really hope for a big final, two big teams fighting until the last second for this title. It was a nice season, and I am not just talking about Selangor, but about our future here. So I hope for the best. I think it is a moment to enjoy our journey this season and put our focus on tomorrow's game.

Mohd Khairul: Tomorrow is the last game of the final. For us, this is do or die. Playing at home, with the Selangor supporters and all our families here, God willing, tomorrow night will be a big final, and we hope we can bring the championship home to Selangor.

Question: Coach, what do you expect from tomorrow's final? Will it be a tough game?

Edgar Baldasso: My expectation is the same. If we had played in Pahang and won, our preparation would be the same. I prepare my team to win. If you draw, you need to win. If you lose, you need to win. So we have only one focus here: a good performance, and with a good performance we will win. We know how we have won so far. We win when we follow our principles, control our minds, and everything is connected. That has been the secret so far. So in our preparation nothing changes. Our focus is totally on winning tomorrow. A good mentality comes with the best possible physical condition in the last minute. Nothing changes: the preparation is the same, the focus is the same, always trying to win.

Question: Do you have any injuries in the squad?

Edgar Baldasso: No, no. We arrive with all our players, and this is very nice. We cannot control everything, because many things can happen. But I am telling the guys that we arrive in our best condition for one big final. That is the most important thing, to have all the players in good condition. Now is the moment to prepare our mentality and arrive with a good mindset. We know it will not be easy: two big teams, two big pieces of work. It is important to say this, because when it is finished it can seem that only one team worked well during the season. But two teams have done a good job this season, and tomorrow we will see who deserves to win this league.

Question: Selangor are called the favourites for tomorrow. What are your thoughts?

Edgar Baldasso: The favourites tag changes once the ball starts rolling, and I do not think about it. We can be considered favourites because we have won our games so far, but we know it is not natural to win every game. These things never enter our minds. We know it is really 50-50. Maybe now they have more of an advantage, but nothing changes. We are prepared for this. We always play with a lot of humility, winning and losing, and growing. Our team is prepared and we will arrive in the best condition tomorrow.

Question: On the statistics, Selangor have the better record. Is that an advantage to make the most of tomorrow?

Mohd Khairul: In this final there is no such thing as Selangor's statistics being better than Pahang Rangers', because even though we won all our games in the league, we lost the first leg of the final. So this is a 50-50 game, and we need to carry out what we have planned. As Coach Edgar said, the secret is to play well and follow the plan, and God willing, that is how we win the game.

Question: As an experienced player, what is your message to your teammates?

Mohd Khairul: What I told the players is that this is our home and our pride. Play for yourself, and play for each other on the court. This is our family, and there is nothing left to hold back, because this is the final game. Give everything you have, play your best, and God willing, the better team will win tomorrow night.

Question: Are you prepared for extra time, or even a penalty shootout?

Mohd Khairul: Yes, we are prepared for extra time and a penalty shootout. What we are focusing on first is the first 40 minutes. After that, we will go with whatever happens.

Question: A message for the fans?

Edgar Baldasso: First of all, we are very proud of everyone, because the tickets sold out in a few minutes, and they push us and help our team a lot. So tomorrow is a beautiful day for us. From the first second to the last we will be together, and I can promise that our team will give everything on court. The title is the best outcome, but until the last second we will never give up. So please support us and push us until the last second. See you tomorrow, guys.

Mohd Khairul: To the Selangor supporters and families, thank you very much for always supporting the Selangor players, at home and away. Tomorrow, God willing, with your support, all the players will give their best from the first minute, right up to a penalty shootout if it comes to that. God willing, the winning team will be crowned champions tomorrow night.

The Final 2nd Leg kicks off at 20:30 on Saturday 31 October at KOMBES, Shah Alam. Pahang Rangers lead after a 4-3 win in the first leg: a draw makes them champions, and a Selangor win takes the Final to extra time and penalties. Watch live, free, on MPFLTV YouTube.

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