Kelantan and Terengganu teams get moral boosting wins

East coast sides -- Kelantan, Terengganu and T-Team -- underlined their credentials as genuine title contenders by notching impressive wins on the opening day of the Malaysia Cup on Tuesday.

 

Kelantan, the defending champions, overcame a sluggish first half to notch a 2-0 win over Group C opponents Sarawak thanks to goals from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and S. Chanturu, while FA Cup champions Terengganu eased past Sime Darby FC 3-0 in a Group B match.

T-Team also coughed up their third straight victory over an experimental Selangor side by edging the 32-time champions 1-0 in a Group D encounter in Kuala Terengganu.

Selangor coach K. Devan used his players in different positions but the move failed to penetrate T-Team's defence the entire match.

 

Kelantan coach M. Karathu had only praise for a battling Sarawak who made it difficult for his side to get a win.

"Obviously we are delighted as it is a very difficult place to come to and get a win. We knew it was going to be a tough match as Sarawak are known to play good football at home," said Karathu.

"We pushed forward in the second half and the move paid dividends. Sarawak made a few mistakes and we capitalised on them."

The coach added: "I am glad we earned maximum points from this fixture. It is a good start and we hope to build from this victory for our next match."

Terengganu had an easier time against Premier League side Sime Darby.

Coach Irfan Bakti said his side managed to get an early goal to break Sime Darby's momentum and confidence.

"We knew that the only way to rattle Sime Darby was to score an early goal and we did just that through Joseph's (Kallang Tie) header after seven minutes.

"It was smooth flowing from then on. I believe it is a good start as opening matches are always difficult to win," said Irfan.