Kedah coach Wan Jamak Wan Hassan has a feeling of deja vu as he bids to help them to victory in the Malaysia Cup competition, which will kick off on Sept 6.
In 2009, Wan Jamak guided Negri Sembilan to Malaysia Cup triumph against all odds. The Deer had finished seventh in the Super League and were clear underdogs going into the Cup final against Kelantan. Yet his team won 3-1.
Last season, however, his Negri side lost 1-2 to Kelantan in the Cup final.
Now, the former national coach finds himself in the same position with Kedah ahead of the 53rd edition of the Malaysia Cup competition.
The Canaries were languishing in mid-table position in the Super League when Wan Jamak took over as coach in mid-March. Under his guidance, they ended the season in a respectable fourth place.
And Wan Jamak, who credited Negri’s success to his players positive attitude, is confident that Kedah can also challenge for the Malaysia Cup.
“For me the dedication and effort of the players were the main reason behind Negri’s success,” said Wan Jamak.
“But that is history. I’m now with Kedah and I believe we can win the Malaysia Cup. When I took over as coach of Kedah, the players had no desire and were not playing as a team.
“But they are in a better shape now and definitely capable of giving a strong challenge in the Malaysia Cup.”
Wan Jamak also prefers the underdogs tag given to his team.
“It’s a good thing. The players will be under less pressure and they can focus on their performance better,” said Wan Jamak.
“Our target is to go one better this season.” (Last season, Kedah were knocked out by Kelantan 1-0 in the semi-finals.)
Wan Jamak is also glad to see the return of his key players from injury.
Midfielder Baddrol Bakhtiar got back his form towards the end of the Super League while winger Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri has returned from a knee injury.
Wan Jamak has also added more depth to his squad after securing the services of Perlis midfielder Azmizi Azmi and defender Basharul Abu Bakar on loan for the Malaysia Cup campaign.
Kedah, back-to-back Malaysia Cup winners in 2007 and 2008, have been drawn with Perak, Sabah and Johor in Group A. They will start their campaign against Johor at the Larkin Stadium.
In 2009, Wan Jamak guided Negri Sembilan to Malaysia Cup triumph against all odds. The Deer had finished seventh in the Super League and were clear underdogs going into the Cup final against Kelantan. Yet his team won 3-1.
Last season, however, his Negri side lost 1-2 to Kelantan in the Cup final.
Now, the former national coach finds himself in the same position with Kedah ahead of the 53rd edition of the Malaysia Cup competition.
The Canaries were languishing in mid-table position in the Super League when Wan Jamak took over as coach in mid-March. Under his guidance, they ended the season in a respectable fourth place.
And Wan Jamak, who credited Negri’s success to his players positive attitude, is confident that Kedah can also challenge for the Malaysia Cup.
“For me the dedication and effort of the players were the main reason behind Negri’s success,” said Wan Jamak.
“But that is history. I’m now with Kedah and I believe we can win the Malaysia Cup. When I took over as coach of Kedah, the players had no desire and were not playing as a team.
“But they are in a better shape now and definitely capable of giving a strong challenge in the Malaysia Cup.”
Wan Jamak also prefers the underdogs tag given to his team.
“It’s a good thing. The players will be under less pressure and they can focus on their performance better,” said Wan Jamak.
“Our target is to go one better this season.” (Last season, Kedah were knocked out by Kelantan 1-0 in the semi-finals.)
Wan Jamak is also glad to see the return of his key players from injury.
Midfielder Baddrol Bakhtiar got back his form towards the end of the Super League while winger Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri has returned from a knee injury.
Wan Jamak has also added more depth to his squad after securing the services of Perlis midfielder Azmizi Azmi and defender Basharul Abu Bakar on loan for the Malaysia Cup campaign.
Kedah, back-to-back Malaysia Cup winners in 2007 and 2008, have been drawn with Perak, Sabah and Johor in Group A. They will start their campaign against Johor at the Larkin Stadium.
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