Selangor looking to overcome poor record against T-Team

Selangor will have a statistical chain to break when they face T-Team in a Super League match at Sultan Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday.

The former champions were beaten four times, twice each in the league and Malaysia Cup, by the east coast side last season and coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim wants his players to forget about those defeats.

Fans are quickly losing patience with Selangor's pathetic display in the league, earning only five points from four matches.

Selangor are facing a problem with their strike force, led by captain Amri Yahyah.

The Selangor FA thought it had solved the problem by signing Lelo Mbele but the Congolese striker, who has failed to reach full fitness from an injury, is likely to be replaced this week.

"Selangor need a goal poacher but we are not expected to sign one before the match against T-Team, so our players need to sharpen up for this match," said Irfan yesterday.

"We are not quite where we want to be but to get there, we need to perform and start winning consistently. Our players are creating chances but we do not have a lethal striker who can finish them off."

Selangor's last success over T-Team was a 2-1 win in Kuala Terengganu in October 2010.

"Records are meant to be broken. T-Team are not invincible and Selangor have what it takes to beat them," added the coach.

"I have told my players to forget about the past and focus on the present. We are in a difficult situation and another unfavourable result will dent our hopes of doing well in the league."

Selangor began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Negri Sembilan before edging Perak 1-0 but since then, have failed to make progress.

They suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Felda United before sharing the spoils with Sarawak (0-0) at home last weekend.

Irfan also needs to look at options in beefing up his team's midfield, led by national captain Safiq Rahim and K. Gurusamy, which has failed to function properly so far.

The back line, led by Lebanese centre-back Ramez Dayoub, is, however, the team's strength.