Aiman Nazirmuddin
Football Tribe Malaysia
FELDA United and Selangor clash at Shah Alam Stadium tonight, and will be seen as the reunion between a student and a teacher.
The Fighters boss Mohd Nidzam Jamil said he respected the Red Giants, coached by B Sathiananthan, who he considered an idol and helped him a lot when they were on together coaching at FELDA United squad.
“Sathiananthan is no stranger to national football and he has been with us, so I learned a lot from him.
“The status of Selangor, who have won the Malaysia Cup 33, times should also be respected and I hope FELDA United players can do better to absorb the hopes of the Red Giants,” he said.
Meanwhile, when asked about the preparations ahead of the first match for the Malaysia Cup, Mohd Nidzam said he had high hopes for import striker Khairul Amri Kamal, who will be looking to cause a threat to the Red Giants’ goal.
Meanwhile, Kedah defender Renan Alves can wish for a new hope when he plays in the Malaysian Cup clash against Negeri Sembilan at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi.
The Brazilian-born defender could not make it to the FA Cup finals because of a red card suspension he received in a Super League match against FELDA United on July 22. Despite not being on the pitch, Alves is happy that his side was able to lift the trophy, and hopes they can be in contention to add to their trophy cabinet.
“The sadness of not being able to make it to the final at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium has been so painful as Kedah has won the FA Cup this season.
“My dream of seeing Kedah winning the Cup this season has achieved, which is something more important than whether or not I play,” he said. “I have now set my hope on trying to contribute to Kedah’s success in the Malaysia Cup.”
Lastly, Terengganu FC face a tough challenge against PKNS in the first match of the Malaysia Cup after six of its main players are unavailable tomorrow night.
Those six include captain Lee Tuck, who was suspended for one match after receiving a red card in the Super League games against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on July 19.
In addition, the five other players are Abdul Malik Mat Ariff, Mohd Ashari Samsudin, Khairul Anwar Shahrudin, Ahmad Syamim Yahya and Cambodian import Thierry Chantha Bin.
However, coach Nafuzi remained calm and said the situation was not too much of a concern for his team.
“Our plans are pretty normal even without the six players, but Tuck’s absence is a bit felt since the player is [important[, hopefully the players that come to replace them will be able to play well,” Nafuzi said.
Nafuzi has not denied that his squad has improved in the last five Super League games as the team’s revival.