Hishamuddin wants to bow with a winners’ medal

PETALING JAYA: Football nomad Che Hishamuddin Hassan is reaching the end of the road of a playing career and he wants to bow out in style with a Malaysia Cup winners’ medal with his home team Kelantan. 

“What better way to end my 11-year career than being a member of the first Kelantan team to win he prestigious Malaysia Cup,” said Che Hishamuddin yesterday. 

Kelantan will be making their only third appearance in the final since the tournament’s inception in 1921 against Negri Sembilan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday. The the previous two finals, they were beaten by Singapore (1-3) in 1955 and by Perak (0-2) in 1970. 

At 34-years-old, the pint-sized striker is finding it difficult to land a first-team place and this could be his last chance to lay hands on the trophy before he hangs up his boots. 

“I am not getting any younger but I am still good for at least a year of football. It all depends on the outcome of the final against Negri on Saturday,” he said. 

“This has to be the year for Kelantan. We came close in the FA Cup final and it was a pity that our loyal fans were left disappointed after we were beaten by Selangor in a penalty shoot-out (1-4) in the final. 

“The fans have been behind us all the while and it’s time we duly repay them back for their undying support. All our matches at home have been played to a full house and we have a big following too for away matches. 

“There is already a festive mood in our state. I was told that there are no more buses to ferry the thousands of fans from Kelantan to Bukit Jalil. They are negotiating for extra buses to charter from neighbours Thailand.” 

Che Hishamuddin began his career with Kelantan in 1998 before moving to Kedah. He also had stints with Kelantan TNB, Negri Sembilan and Terengganu before returning to his home team this year. 

“I had a good opportunity to win the Malaysia Cup in 2006 when I played for Negri but we lost to Perlis in the final (1-2),” said Che Hishamuddin, who was then a first-team player partnering Cameroon striker Christian Beckamenga Beckamengo in attack. 

“It was a good experience getting to play alongside Beckamengo. He is now playing for Nantes in the French League.”