Singapore's artificial pitch worries Terengganu

The Turtles are on a good run in the Super League but coach Mat Zan Mat Aris fears it may come to an end when they play on Singapore’s artificial pitch tomorrow.

He said that only a handful of Harimau Muda and some national players in the team had played on astroturf.

“The faster my boys adapt to the artificial surface, the better our chances of beating Singapore,” he said yesterday.

“I have reminded them to expect drastic changes in the movement of the ball.”

Terengganu will again be banking on Liberian striker Francis Forkey Doe, who has been a revelation with his array of goals and skills.

“Forkey Doe has been great for us and we hope he can get the job done again on Saturday,” said Mat Zan.

“I will field a strong team. Ismail Faruqi and Joseph Kalang Tie will be in the starting line-up after sitting out the clash with T-Team last week.”

Forkey Doe scored both goals in the Turtles’ 2-1 win over T-Team last Saturday. It was their third victory in a row after losing their opening match 1-0 to Perak.

Mat Zan has warned his players to keep an eye on Lions’ captain Shahril Ishak and striker Agu Casmir.

“Skipper Mohd Marzuki Yusof and his defenders will have to be extra alert to thwart the threat posed by these two players,” he said.

“We want to maintain our good run of results and the match against Singapore will be no different.”