Since the national league format was introduced by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in 1982, only six teams have claimed the prestigious double - the Malaysia Cup and league titles in the same season. According to Rizal Hashim in the Malay Mail, this weekend league champions Perlis are just 90 minutes or a little bit more, if the final happens to be stretched beyond regulation time, away from joining the select group comprising Selangor (1984), Kuala Lumpur (1988), Johor (1991), Pahang (1992), Kedah (1993) and Singapore (1994). In contrast, Selangor, is aim to become the first team to lift the Malaysia Cup and FA Cup in the same seasonWhile the two clubs prime their players, the FAM is preparing against hooliganism at the 100,000-capacity National Stadium. Reportedly, even the expected presence of nearly 1,300 police personnel scattered around the seven-year-old stadium is no guarantee the match will be free from untoward incidents although both sets of fans have been warned that stern action will taken against those caught with firecrackers, spark plugs or other objects intended to cause harm.
FAM general secretary Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad advised fans to come early because of the added security measures. "Since all the fans will be frisked, it is advisable they come early and avoid the rush. We want the final to be a recreational activity everybody can enjoy. Please do not turn the stadium into a battlefield," he said after a meeting with Federal Reserve Unit deputy commander ACP Ishak Manan yesterday.
He also reminded a section of Selangor fans who have earned notoriety for their behaviour throughout this season to avoid the mayhem in Gelora Bung Karno Senayan in Jakarta over the weekend when one fan was killed after fans of the Jakarta club set the stadium on fire.
See also: Riot disrupts conclusion to Indonesian final (26 Sept 2005)