Sime Darby motivated to do well in Malaysia Cup

Sime Darby FC coach Ismail Zakaria has insisted his players relish their underdogs tag and will use it as motivation in next month's Malaysia Cup.

The club are making their first ever appearance in the competition after thrashing Pahang 6-0 on aggregate in a play-off last month.

Sime Darby, last year's FAM Cup champions, are in Group B alongside Super League runners-up Terengganu, Negri Sembilan and Premier League champions PKNS.

Ismail is optimistic his side will shed their underdogs' status with one or two upsets in the Malaysia Cup.

"We will be underdogs, there's no doubt but we like it that way. We always seem to be underdogs but that tag suits us as it takes a bit of pressure off," said Ismail.

"In recent weeks, however, we have proven that we can cut it against the top teams. We held Perak to a 0-0 draw and we beat a very good T-Team side 1-0 in recent friendlies.

"My boys are gaining confidence, that is for sure. I am confident the boys can raise their game against the big guns."

Sime Darby made their debut in the Premier League this season, where they finished fifth but Zakaria said his team could have done better in the competition.

"We slipped up in the closing stages when it mattered most. Besides that, my strikers were not scoring many goals."

Midfielder Raimi Mohd Nor and striker Faiz Isa were the club's top scorers in the league with nine goals between them.

They have signed up strikers C. Premnath and Yusaini Hafiz Chee Saad on loan from Penang and Armed Forces respectively and also USM FC's midfielder S. Thinakaran for the Malaysia Cup.

"The new signings have given me more options. They have been showing promise in training and friendly matches."

Sime Darby will open their campaign against Terengganu on Sept 6.