Tuba's knight of fame (The Malay Mail)

WHILE the whole of Kedah were rejoicing their entry into their fifth
Malaysia Cup final, young striker Faridzuan Che Hamid brought a small
island into the picture of success.
The 21-year-old player hails from Tuba, an island 30 minutes by boat
from Langkawi. He must have made the 5,000 odd islanders proud with a hat-
trick over Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night.
Faridzuan now has seven goals in the Malaysia Cup and six in the Semi-
Pro League.
And what a night it was for Faridzuan.
"I will never forget this match," said the eldest in a family of three
boys after Kedah beat KL 6-4.
"Ten goals in a match and three from me. I would have just settled for
one. I and happy to have been a part in Kedahs entry into the final."
Faridzuan only tasted action in a couple of matches last season as a
substitute. But this year, he emerged as Kedah's twin striker with Peter
Nieketin.
Recalling his emergence for Kedah, Faridzuan said he owes a great deal
to headmaster Kassim Saad who launched his football career.
"I was playing for my school when Cikgu Kassim spotted me. Cigku Kassim
was in Langkawi looking for players for the State schools Under-18 team."
After that he got a tranfer to SM Tengku Bendahara in Kodiang where
Kassim was the headmaster.
Kassim has been instrumental in spotting and motivating players into
prominence.
Sultan Abdul Hamid is the soccer school of excellence in Alor Star.
Players like Radhi Mat Din, Azmi Mahmud, Norazam Ishak and Lee Thean Ewe
have emerged from the project.
Kassim is currently teaching in Parit Buntar.
After representing Kedah schools, Faridzuan played in the Razak Cup and
then the President's Cup.
It was in the latter Cup final last season when Kedah emerged champions
that Robert Alberts saw his potential.
Faridzuan, who helps his father in the fishing business when he gets
time off, said that he owes his rise to all the people who have taken an
interest in his progress.
"I am still young and have a lot more to learn. Right now, playing in
the final is a dream come true for me."
SATURDAY'S RESULTS
KEDAH       6 (2)  K. LUMPUR  4 (1)
TERENGGANU  0 (0)  PAHANG     1 (1)
* First-leg scores in paranthesis
                             (END)