Negeri Sembilan end long wait for Malaysia Cup final win

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Negeri Sembilan won the Malaysia Cup for the first time since 1948 by beating arch-rivals Kelantan 3-1 in Saturday's final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Midfielder Shahurain Abu Samah capitalised on a defensive mix-up in the Kelantan box to open the scoring in the 18th minute before on-loan Malaysian international striker Hairuddin Omar doubled the lead a minute into the second half.

Mohd Zapuan Adha put the result beyond doubt when he converted a penalty in the 58th minute after Shahurain was brought down.

Kelantan, who were chasing their first Malaysia Cup title after finishing runner-up in 1955 and 1970, scored a consolation goal in stoppage time through a free-kick from striker Indra Putra Mahayudd, the competition's leading scorer.

The state news agency Bernama reported that a large section of Kelantan supporters left the stadium early, responding to their team's defeat by burning flags, banners, chairs and letting off firecrackers.

Local media had earlier reported that Malaysian authorities would deploy 1,400 police to the match as well as closing roads near the stadium and making rival fans use separate entrances in a bid to prevent crowd violence that has marred the teams' previous fixtures.

North-eastern club Kelantan were banned from playing home matches at their Kota Baru stadium in April after repeat disturbances during Negeri Sembilan games -- including one in which the visitors were trapped in their dressing room for two hours as fans ran amok.

(Reporting by Julian Linden in Sydney; Editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)