PETALING JAYA: Defender B. Rajinikandh has bad memories of matches played in the Perak Stadium in Ipoh. And he hopes that they will all be erased with a victory over Perlis in the FA Cup final on Saturday. 

Rajinikandh, who is the skipper of the Negri Sembilan team for the final, saw red twice at the stadium – in 1997 and 1998 in M-League matches against Perak. Then, he was also donning Negri colours. 

“I have bad memories playing there. I played there twice before for Negri and on both occasion I was sacked,” said the 29-year-old Rajinikandh. 

THE ERASER: Rajinikandh hopes to end his Perak Stadium jinx when he leads Negri Sembilan in the FA Cup final against Perlis on Saturday.

“I have to admit that there is fear having to play there again because this time I have to shoulder heavier responsibilities. It is a Cup final and I have to play the roles of skipper and sweeper.” 

Rajinikandh has to play a leading role because skipper Khairul Anuar Baharom is recovering from a knee surgery. The 29-year-old former international was injured in the semi-finals first-leg match against Sabah on May 10 and underwent surgery for torn ligaments on May 15. Khairul will be out of action for more than three months. 

“I have the experience of playing in a Cup final. I played for Selangor in the Malaysia Cup and we beat Sabah 1-0,” said Rajinikandh. 

“But this will be the first time that I am the skipper for a Cup final. It's nice that I get to lead Negri. I hope I don't end up getting sacked for a third time at the Perak Stadium. I hope that there will be a nice ending for us.” 

Rajinikandh will form the backline with Anuar Jusoh, Lim Chan Yew and youngster Nor Hafiz Zamani. 

Negri will be playing in the FA Cup final for the first time since the tournament's inception in 1990. Negri have also not won a major national football title since winning the HMS Malaya Cup in 1948. It will also be the third Cup final appearance for Negri following their 2000 Malaysia Cup defeat by Perak at the Shah Alam Stadium. 

Rajinikandh has also not won a tournament as skipper of the team. He was the national team skipper between 1996 and 2000. 

“I hope there will be luck for me as the Negri captain,” he said. 

Rajinikandh made his debut in the M-League in 1993 with Malacca and moved to join Negri the following year. He went on to play for Selangor for three seasons from 2000 and during that period the Red Giants won four titles. 

“I have four winners' medals to show with Selangor – 2000 Premier I, 2001 FA Cup and 2002 Charity Shield and Malaysia Cup,” said Rajinikandh.