Fortune shone on the seeded teams -- Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor and Kedah -- at the Malaysia Cup draw at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Defending champions Kelantan, the top seeds by virtue of lifting this season's Super League title, were drawn with Johor FC, Felda United and Premier League runners-up Sarawak in Group C.
"I am confident but it is not going to be easy. Johor FC and Felda are going to be tough," said Kelantan coach M. Karathu yesterday.
"I am confident but it is not going to be easy. Johor FC and Felda are going to be tough," said Kelantan coach M. Karathu yesterday.
Kelantan, who defeated Negri Sembilan 2-1 in last year's final, will open their Malaysia Cup campaign against Sarawak in Kuching on Sept 6.
"I have to admit that I do not know much about Sarawak. The Malaysia Cup is a competition, where all teams start afresh. We cannot take our opponents for granted.
"Of course, our target is to retain our title. It will be challenging but we are up for the challenge," added Karathu.
"Of course, our target is to retain our title. It will be challenging but we are up for the challenge," added Karathu.
Terengganu, the Super League runners-up, were placed in Group B along with 2009 champions Negri Sembilan, Premier League champions PKNS and Sime Darby.
The east coast side have improved tremendously under coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim, who guided them to this season's FA Cup title after edging Kelantan in extra-time.
Irfan, who was not present at the draw, will be hoping to deliver Terengganu's first Malaysia Cup title since their 2001 triumph.
Sime Darby, a Kuala Lumpur-based Premier League club, are making their debut in this competition after overcoming Pahang 6-0 on aggregate in a recent play-off.
Coach Ismail Zakaria hopes his players will not be overawed by the occasion.
"We are probably the weakest team in the competition but we have spirit and confidence in us. I will be happy if my team can cause one or two upsets over the seeded teams," said Ismail, who has signed former Selangor player S.Premnath on loan from Penang for the Malaysia Cup.
Former champions Kedah, coached by Wan Jamak Wan Hassan, are in Group A with Perak, Sabah and Johor.
Selangor, the 32-time champions, will face off with T-Team, Kuala Lumpur and Police in Group D.
The two-time Super League champions are desperate to lift their first title of the season in the Malaysia Cup, a competition which they have not won since their 3-0 victory over Perlis in the 2005 final.
Coach K.Devan said his team are confident and motivated ahead of the competition.
"My players have realised that they need to win the title as it is the last trophy of the season. We want to win it this time.
"All my players, except for centre-back Khairul Anuar Baharom, are free from injuries. I think we should be able to advance to the quarter-final stage with ease.
"Our schedule is not too taxing as we have only one away match (T-Team) outside the Klang Valley. However, my players must keep their focus for the mission ahead," said Devan.
The Selangor side, however, must not take T-Team for granted as they were defeated twice by the east-coast side in the Super League.
Selangor can thank their lucky stars as they will not meet Kelantan until the final if both teams top their respective groups.
The Malaysia Cup group stage starts on Sept 6 with the final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Oct 29.
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