PETALING JAYA, 2024, APRIL 28 – Selangor FC claimed a rare piece of silverware after lifting the KUSEL Asia Challenge Cup on Sunday, giving their fans a long-awaited moment of celebration ahead of the new Malaysia Super League (M-League) season.
The Red Giants, who have not tasted major success in recent years, sealed the title with an emphatic 4-0 win over Laotian side Young Elephants FC in front of 3,711 supporters at the MBPJ Stadium.
Organised by Selangor themselves, the Asia Challenge Cup featured four clubs and served as a pre-season platform for Nidzam Jamil’s squad to gear up for the 2024-25 M-League campaign, which kicks off next month.
Selangor opened the scoring in the 9th minute through Dutch winger Alvin Fortes, before captain Safuwan Baharudin doubled the lead with a header in the 36th. National star Faisal Halim added a third shortly after the break (53’), and young midfielder Syahir Bashah completed the rout in the 75th minute.
It was their second straight 4-0 victory in the competition, having also brushed aside Brunei’s DPMM FC on Friday.
Singaporean outfit Balestier Khalsa FC emerged as runners-up after defeating Young Elephants 1-0 and drawing 3-3 with DPMM. Meanwhile, DPMM finished third, with the Laotian side ending the tournament without a point.
As champions, Selangor were presented with the Asia Challenge Cup trophy and a US$10,000 (RM47,665) cash prize—an encouraging boost for a club determined to rebuild its winning identity.
The result may not count towards any official domestic honours, but it is a morale-boosting milestone for Selangor fans, who have been longing for a return to the glory days. With the new season fast approaching, the Red Giants will be hoping this triumph serves as the foundation for greater things to come.
