Kelantan will likely lose the services of two key players -- goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat and striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha - for the group stage of the Malaysia Cup competition.
Khairul is in Slovakia with the national Under-23 squad, preparing for next month's third round of the Olympic Qualifiers while Norshahrul is down with a hamstring injury.
Team manager Azman Ibrahim said his team were in the dark whether Khairul would rejoin the team before the start of the Malaysia Cup.
"We do not know whether the FA of Malaysia (FAM) will release Khairul before the national Under-23 side open their Olympic Group C Qualifying campaign against Japan (Sept 21)," said Azman after the Malaysia Cup draw in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"I also heard that the Olympic team will leave for China for a week-long training stint after returning from Slovakia. It looks like he will miss some of our matches in the group stage."
But Azman and coach M. Karathu are not overreacting over his likely absence as they have a formidable second-choice goalkeeper in Shahrizan Ismail and also President Cup custodian Norhadi Ubaidillah.
"His absence will be felt but our reserve goalkeepers are also dependable. I am confident they will be able replacements," said Azman, adding that Shahrizan has yet to concede a goal this season.
The other Kelantan player with the Olympic training squad is midfielder Izuan Sollahuddin.
On Norshahrul's injury status, Azman said the striker needs time to recover from a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old, who scored 19 goals in this season's Super League, aggravated his old hamstring injury in Malaysia's 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in last month's friendly match in Bukit Jalil.
"He may miss some matches in the group stage. We hope he will return in time for the competition," said Azman.
Khairul is in Slovakia with the national Under-23 squad, preparing for next month's third round of the Olympic Qualifiers while Norshahrul is down with a hamstring injury.
Team manager Azman Ibrahim said his team were in the dark whether Khairul would rejoin the team before the start of the Malaysia Cup.
"We do not know whether the FA of Malaysia (FAM) will release Khairul before the national Under-23 side open their Olympic Group C Qualifying campaign against Japan (Sept 21)," said Azman after the Malaysia Cup draw in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"I also heard that the Olympic team will leave for China for a week-long training stint after returning from Slovakia. It looks like he will miss some of our matches in the group stage."
But Azman and coach M. Karathu are not overreacting over his likely absence as they have a formidable second-choice goalkeeper in Shahrizan Ismail and also President Cup custodian Norhadi Ubaidillah.
"His absence will be felt but our reserve goalkeepers are also dependable. I am confident they will be able replacements," said Azman, adding that Shahrizan has yet to concede a goal this season.
The other Kelantan player with the Olympic training squad is midfielder Izuan Sollahuddin.
On Norshahrul's injury status, Azman said the striker needs time to recover from a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old, who scored 19 goals in this season's Super League, aggravated his old hamstring injury in Malaysia's 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in last month's friendly match in Bukit Jalil.
"He may miss some matches in the group stage. We hope he will return in time for the competition," said Azman.
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