"Tiada istilah adik-abang dalam padang". Itu mungkin perkara yang akan dilaungkan oleh pasangan kembar, adik beradik Aidil Zafuan dan Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak, menjelang final Piala Malaysia 2019, Sabtu ini.
Kedua-dua pemain itu akan bertembung sesama sendiri selepas membawa pasukan masing-masing layak ke perlawanan akhir kejohanan berprestij itu, yang membabitkan pasukan Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) dan Kedah.
Menariknya, ia kali pertama dalam tempoh 13 tahun mereka akan menjadi seteru di pentas final, sekali gus bakal menjadikan final Piala Malaysia edisi ini cukup istimewa berbanding perlawanan-perlawanan akhir terdahulu.
Sebelum ini, mereka pernah berentap sebagai musuh di atas padang tetapi membabitkan perlawanan biasa antaranya aksi Liga Super pada 2017. Ketika itu, Zaquan, yang mewakili pasukan Perak, menentang pasukan abang kembarnya, Aidil, iaitu JDT, di Stadium Perak, Ipoh.
Kini, Zaquan antara watak penting yang menjana jentera serangan Kedah untuk menyingkirkan Pahang dalam separuh akhir tatkala Aidil menjadi pilihan utama mengemudi barisan pertahanan skuad Harimau Selatan itu dalam aksi final nanti.
Saya percaya, kedua-dua pemain itu mempunyai sikap profesional untuk memberikan persembahan terbaik masing-masing tanpa mengira sentimen pertalian darah selaku antara pasangan kembar bola sepak yang kekal beraksi sehingga kini.
Walaupun ada yang mengatakan anak kembar berkongsi rasa dan berkawan baik sejak dari perut ibu mereka ibarat 'cubit peha kanan, peha kiri terasa sakit', saya optimis mereka sedia bermusuh di atas padang dalam merealisasikan misi pasukan masing-masing.
Justeru, pertemuan JDT selaku juara Liga Super 2019 dan Kedah selaku juara Piala FA akan menjadi satu perlawanan paling menarik buat kedua-dua pemain itu dalam tempoh 13 tahun mereka beregelar pemain bola sepak dan akan menjadi kenangan manis untuk perjalanan karier masing-masing.
Zulhelmi Zainal Azam
Sun Oct 27 2019


Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu both fall in opening round of the Canadian Open
Coco Gauff looked stylish on the way to her opening win, while Naomi Osaka was forced to retire while down a set due to a back injury.

Kyrgios, Norrie and Fritz advance through opening round of the Canadian Open
Some big names advanced to the second round, while Andy Murray, Matteo Berrettini and hometown hero Denis Shapovalov were not so lucky.

Judge denies LIV Golf signees entry into the FedEx Cup
A judge ruled on Tuesday that LIV Golf signees had no right to play in the FedEx Cup after accepting their lucrative contracts.

Boult granted release from New Zealand Cricket contract
At 33 years old, Black Caps quick Trent Boult has decided his days of travelling the world for international cricket are just about over.

Van Bronckhorst ecstatic as Rangers comeback keeps Champions League qualification dream alive
Rangers will meet Ruud van Nistelrooy's PSV in the Champions League qualification play-offs after another memorable game at Ibrox.

Glasner stresses need for 'special' Frankfurt defence against Benzema-inspired Madrid
Eintracht Frankfurt were thrashed 6-1 by Bayern Munich on Saturday, and Oliver Glasner knows that defensive performance cannot be repeated.

Marseille confirm deal 'in principle' to sign Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is on his way to Marseille after his Inter contract was terminated on Monday.

Evergreen Modric sees no reason why Qatar World Cup should affect Madrid game time
Luka Modric will turn 37 in September, but Real Madrid's mercurial midfielder is seeing no reason why he should start slowing down.

Ten Hag can succeed at Man Utd but only if afforded time – Litmanen
Jari Litmanen has backed former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag to turn things around at Man Utd, despite a far from ideal start.

England's 'inspirational' win at 'amazing' Women's Euros evidence of development, says Finland great Kalmari
Laura Kalmari believes England's successful European Championship represented a significant development for the women's game.