After enduring a difficult start in charge of Negri Sembilan, thoughts of winning the Malaysia Cup were furthest from Azraai Khor Abdullah’s mind.
Negri failed to win any of their first six matches under Azraai, who took over from Wan Jamak Wan Hassan on March 21, before securing a much needed win when they beat Pahang 3-1 in the Super League on April 23.
Injuries and suspension played havoc with Azraai’s squad to the extent that the former Kedah coach struggled to find players to fill his bench on match days.
Injuries and suspension played havoc with Azraai’s squad to the extent that the former Kedah coach struggled to find players to fill his bench on match days.
Azraai instead promoted several players from Negri’s President’s Cup squad and as the injury situation eased, so did the team’s form improve.
And they are now on the verge of reaching the Malaysia Cup final for the third straight year.
“If you asked me then whether we could reach the Malaysia Cup final, I certainly would not have thought so. We were so laden with injuries to key players that I could not even find 18 players for matches.
“When I signed with Negri, I knew they had problems with injuries but I hadn’t realised how bad it was.
“But towards the end of the league, the situation improved and we also started to play better.
“Now I have everyone back and you can see that the players are all hungry and committed which is why we have done well so far in the Malaysia Cup,” said Azraai, who turns 59 on Tuesday.
“But towards the end of the league, the situation improved and we also started to play better.
“Now I have everyone back and you can see that the players are all hungry and committed which is why we have done well so far in the Malaysia Cup,” said Azraai, who turns 59 on Tuesday.
Among those who were sidelined during the season were defenders Norhafiz Zamani Misbah and Aidil Zafuan Radzak, midfielder G. Mahathevan and striker Zaquan Adha Radzak.
Zaquan and Mahathevan have been used sparingly in the Malaysia Cup, given Negri’s good form and as they head into the semi-final second leg against Kuala Terengganu T-Team in Paroi tomorrow holding a 4-2 advantage, only a complete collapse will prevent Negri from taking their place in the Oct 29 final in Shah Alam.
“The break for the fasting month did wonders for the team as we were able to work on our system of play and the players too are now familiar with it. The few friendly matches we played before the Malaysia Cup helped us a lot,” added Azraai.
Hairuddin Omar, the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals, has been instrumental in Negri’s run so far and his experience at the tail-end of the competition will certainly come in handy.
“The players look up to him and he commands respect in the team. He is a model professional, he has got class and a good attitude in training,” said Azraai of the striker who has won the Malaysia Cup three times with Terengganu (2001), Negri (2009) and Kelantan (2010).
Negri, however, will have to make do without midfielder Halim Zainal tomorrow through suspension with either Idris Karim or Mahathevan to fill in.
Zaquan and Mahathevan have been used sparingly in the Malaysia Cup, given Negri’s good form and as they head into the semi-final second leg against Kuala Terengganu T-Team in Paroi tomorrow holding a 4-2 advantage, only a complete collapse will prevent Negri from taking their place in the Oct 29 final in Shah Alam.
“The break for the fasting month did wonders for the team as we were able to work on our system of play and the players too are now familiar with it. The few friendly matches we played before the Malaysia Cup helped us a lot,” added Azraai.
Hairuddin Omar, the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals, has been instrumental in Negri’s run so far and his experience at the tail-end of the competition will certainly come in handy.
“The players look up to him and he commands respect in the team. He is a model professional, he has got class and a good attitude in training,” said Azraai of the striker who has won the Malaysia Cup three times with Terengganu (2001), Negri (2009) and Kelantan (2010).
Negri, however, will have to make do without midfielder Halim Zainal tomorrow through suspension with either Idris Karim or Mahathevan to fill in.
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