Kelantan youngsters favourite to win President's Cup

Kelantan's success at winning the Super League crown has begun to filter down to the junior ranks as they attempt to win the President's Cup for the first time in six years when they meet Muar Municipal Council in the final at Sultan Mohamed IV Stadium in Kota Baru today.
 

The side, coached by Zahasmi Ismail, reached the final after a 2-0 aggregate success over PKNS and with strong backing from the home fans, Kelantan are favoured to win this year's President's Cup to add to their wins in 1985, 1995 and 2005.

"You could say that they have exceeded their target, having not reached the knockout rounds for some time.

"They have done beyond expectations and I hope they will do well in the final," said Kelantan FA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa yesterday.

Debutants Muar MC have stunned all before them in their run to the final .

And the team, coached by former Negri Sembilan player Rosli Omar, must not be underestimated after ousting last year's champions Bukit Jalil Sports School in the semi-finals on away goals following a 2-2 draw at the National Sports Complex to leave the aggregate score tied at 3-3.

Muar MC are only the second club to make the Under-21 final and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Johor FC, who were champions in 2009.

"We must not be over-confident even if we have home ground advantage as Muar are a good side having reached the final.

"But I feel our players have been improving fast and this is the result of our development plans," added Annuar.

Kelantan, however, will not have the services of striker Izuan Solahuddin, who has joined the national Olympic squad on the tour of Slovakia.

But in Khairul Izuan Rosli they have a good finisher -- having scored twice against PKNS in the semi-final first leg.