Saturday 24 March 2012

Terengganu and T-Team looking for confidence boost in FA Cup

The Turtles are looking to bounce back from the midweek AFC Cup loss to Hong Kong’s Kitchee by chalking up a convincing win over Singapore Lions XII in the FA Cup quarter-final first leg at Sultan Ismail Stadium tonight.

Coach Mat Zan Mat Aris wants Terengganu to score a hatful of goals so that they can take a comfortable lead to Singapore for the return leg.

“This is, by far, our sternest test as we are the defending champions. The Lions are on song but we will not be deterred,” he said.

Terengganu’s task has been made more difficult because of several injuries.

Captain Marzuki Yusof, Reshafiq Alwi and Ahmad Nordin Alias are long-term casualties while striker Abdul Manaf Mamat is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the match against Kitchee.

“Striker Francis Forkey Doe, midfielders Erison Da Silva and Shukor Jusoh are also doubtful. If these three are ruled out, we may have to rely on our reserves for the match against the Lions XII,” said Mat Zan.

Another Terengganu side, T-Team, are hoping to continue their fine record against Kedah when they meet in the FA Cup quarter-finals in Alor Setar tonight.

Yunus Alif’s club side have yet to lose to Kedah since last season’s Super League, with the latest win being the 3-0 drubbing at the Sultan Ismail Stadium earlier this season.

A confident Yunus wants his men to beat Kedah by two goals in today’s first-leg.

“This is the first time we are in the Cup quarter-finals so we naturally want to do well. But it won’t be easy as Kedah are an experienced side,” he said.

Yunus said T-Team have done well this season and he aims to win at least one Cup this season.

No comments:

Post a Comment