Selangor aims to win Malaysia Cup for 33rd time

Selangor is aiming to win the Malaysia Cup for the 33rd time after failing to land the cup since beating Perlis 3-0 in the 2005 final.

Football Association of Selangor (FAS) vice-president Datuk Subahan Kamal said the target is achievable given the team''s third place in Super League, four points behind Kelantan, and qualification for FA Cup semi-finals this year.

"We must focus on getting past the group stage," he told reporters before launching ''Program Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang Ramadan 2011'' at Surau Ibtida''iah, Kampung Bendahara, Selayang today.

He said Selangor could not underestimate Kuala Lumpur, T-Team and PDRM who were drawn together in Group D and must play well in every game.

Selangor has a good chance of qualifying for the next stage and the team is preparing for a friendly match against the national team tonight.

In the Malaysia Cup tournament last year, Selangor lost 0-3 in the quarter-final to eventual winners Kelantan.

On the change of venue for SEA Games from Jakabaring Stadium, Palembang to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, he said the stadium would not give advantage to Malaysian players.
"Our players may have played there before it is a frightening place because of the fanatical support by Indonesian fans.

"We actually prefer to play in Palembang," said Subahan who is also FAM vice-president.
However, he believed that the players are capable of playing well and this could be seen in the last AFF Cup which Malaysia won despite intense pressure from Indonesian players and fans.

On Aug 2, the Asean Football Federation confirmed that the football venue was switched to Jakarta as the Palembang venue could not be ready in time for SEA Games.