It will be a real test of character as teams battle for places in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup competition today.
Local kingpins Selangor, FA Cup winners Terengganu, surprise packages T-Team and Felda United hold the advantange after the first-leg matches.
But the Malaysia Cup has seen plenty of surprises before. So, don’t be surprised to see a few more twists and turns when the return-leg matches are held at the various venues today.
The east coast derby between defending champions Kelantan and Terengganu at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru promises to be a combustible affair as there is no love lost between the bitter rivals.
The Red Warriors will be hoping to stage one of their biggest comebacks ever as they seek to overturn a two-goal deficit after Terengganu beat them 3-1 in an ill-tempered match, which saw five red cards being flashed at the Sultan Mohd Ismail Stadium in Kuala Terengganu on Monday.
Kelantan coach Datuk M. Karathu is confident of turning the tables on the Turtles at home.
“A 2-0 win is possible,” said Karathu, who has already led Kelantan to the Charity Shield and the Super League title. The Red Warriors just missed out on the FA Cup when they lost 2-1 to Terengganu after extra-time in the final.
Terengganu coach Mohd Irfan Bakti’s men can expect a hot reception from the vociferous Kelantan fans and it will definitely be a test of character for his players to stay cool in the pressure-cooker atmosphere in Kota Baru.
“This game is all about mental strength. It is important for my boys not to be intimidated by their fans … once they let the fans get to them, it will affect them. If we can just concentrate on our game, we can win,” said Irfan.
The absence of playmaker Ismail Faruqi through suspension will be a big loss for Terengganu, although they can expect attacking midfielders Joseph Kallang Tie and Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin to ignite the sparks. Skipper Mohd Marzuki Yusof has the toughest task as he will have to hold the backline together with goalkeeper Mohd Sharbinee Allawee.
For Kelantan, their strikeforce, comprising Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, S. Chanturu, Ramzul Zahini Adenan, Nurul Azwan Roya and Mohd Nizad Ayub, are expected to go for goals.
Perak are the other team who will be looking to overcome a two-goal deficit after losing 3-1 to Selangor in the first-leg in Shah Alam.
The Red Giants, under coach P. Maniam, have comeback from the dead once – when they overcome a horrendous start in the group stages to finally make the cut for the quarter-finals.
He wants the Red Giants, who are gunning for their 33rd title, to tread with caution in Ipoh because he knows that Perak will throw everything at them in their bid to get early goals.
“We are not going to throw away the two-goal lead because we expect Perak to come at us,” said Maniam, who is aware of the threat posed by Perak hitmen Failee Ghazali and Akmal Rizal Rakhli.
Surprise packages T-Team and Felda United, both littered with seasoned campaigners, look set to follow in the footsteps of former champions Selangor MPPJ, who were the first club side to win the Malaysia Cup in 2003.
T-Team, under coach Yunus Alif, have the advantage after edging Sabah 2-1 in Likas .
“We have experience on our side and it is ours to lose. Sabah are a good side and can trouble us if we lose our head. We have homeground advantage and only 90 minutes separate us from a place in the semi-finals,” said Yunus, whose squad boast of ex-internationals like Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Mohd Norfarhan Mohd, Azizi Mat Rose, Rosdi Talib, Zairo Anuar Zalani and Mohd Safwan Kamal.
Felda, under coach E. Elavarasan, did well to surprise fancied Negri Sembilan 1-0 in Kelana Jaya on Monday.
But Negri coach Mohd Azraai Khor is confident his boys can get the job done in Paroi.
“Team morale is high and the players know what to do. Our opponents are a tough nut to crack at the back but we will get our act right this time,” said Azraai, who will be counting on Mohd Firdaus Azizul, Hairuddin Omar and Shahurain Abu Samah for goals.
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