KUALA LUMPUR: After a four-year hiatus, Selangor will resume their football rivalry with Singapore when the Sultan of Selangor Cup makes a return on August 17 at Merdeka Stadium.
With so much pride at stake, expect both teams to arm themselves to the teeth with star players for the match.
Tan Sri Abd Karim Munisar, the Red Giants team manager, said: "We will bring Selangor's current Super League team. I've met with the players and we are organising a selection programme that fans can witness."
Regarding the Singapore line-up, Karim said: "Both Selangor and Singapore have submitted their list of players for inclusion in the printed booklet.
"While awaiting confirmation from the FA of Singapore, we are tentatively expecting all three of Fandi Ahmad's sons to participate."
Karim said the organising committee plans to inspect the Merdeka Stadium on Tuesday. "Merdeka Stadium's renovations are progressing well with the expected completion by end of July."
Grandstand tickets, priced at RM20, for the Sultan of Selangor Cup, are sold out while the RM10 tickets for open seats are 94% sold.
"This competition has been eagerly awaited after a four-year absence. Playing at Merdeka Stadium, where Selangor legends such as (the late) Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, Datuk Santokh Singh, and Datuk Soh Chin Aun made their mark, adds to the event's historical significance and nostalgia.
"The atmosphere promises to be electrifying with fireworks, parachute displays and a performance by Datuk Jamal Abdillah to entertain the crowd," said Karim.
The last edition in 2019 saw Selangor beat Singapore 1-0 at Shah Alam Stadium.