Selangor coach K. Devan says that his club's morale-boosting victory over Malaysia on Saturday was just a taste of what is to come in the Malaysia Cup.
The two-time Super League champions stunned the national team 1-0 courtesy of Rudie Ramli's long range strike in the 64th minute at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Malaysia, in the absence of seven first-choice players, looked jaded while Selangor looked more enterprising throughout the match.
Selangor tried out their new signings and also tested new strategies without four key players -- Safiq Rahim, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Amirulhadi Zainal and Bunyamin Umar.
Safiq, Asraruddin and Amirulhadi featured for K. Rajagobal's side in the match while Bunyamin is in training with the Malaysian University team bound for next week's Universiade Games in Shenzhen.
Devan believes his side will carry their momentum from Saturday's victory into the Malaysia Cup, which starts next month.
Selangor, who finished third in the Super League this season, have been drawn in Group B with T-Team, Kuala Lumpur and Police. They are expected to qualify for the quarter-finals as one of top two ranked teams in the group.
Selangor did not hit top gear in the Super League but Devan hopes they will return to form in the Malaysia Cup.
When asked about Selangor's victory over the national team, Devan said: "It was only a friendly match but nonetheless it's an important win for my boys. I believe this result will help them build their confidence and self-belief. "Our campaign in the Super League was hampered by injuries but now that everyone is back, I expect a good show in the Malaysia Cup."
Devan added: "We have not won a title this season and this competition is our last chance." Devan said he was impressed with new signings rightback Muhd Nazri Ahmad and flanker Haziq Zikri Elias.
"Nazri and Haziq will be good cover for Razman Roslan and Amirulhadi respectively in the Malaysia Cup," said Devan. "The others responded well but I am not too happy with the performance of my goalkeeper Iqbal Suhaimi. He is not too steady."
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