Sarawak defender, Dzulazlan Ibrahim (centre) vies with Selangor players during the Malaysia Cup quarterfinal first-leg match at Sarawak State Stadium on Tuesday night. — Bernama photo
KUCHING: Sarawak face the daunting task of eliminating a supremely confident Selangor from this year’s Malaysia Cup at the Shah Alam Stadium tomorrow.
Playing in the second leg of the quarter-final stages of the competition, the Crocs as underdogs must muster everything they can to win the match after losing the first leg 2-1 in Kuching.
During the first leg on Tuesday, Crocs failed to maximise their home advantage when the match was played at Stadium Negeri.
Interim head coach David Usop however commented post-match that the players were acquitted though it was just merely not their luck that night.
“I have complaints about the performance of my players today (Tuesday). We were just punished for our lapse in concentration towards the end of the match,” he added at the time.
Now, with Selangor staunch favourites to win the match, Sarawak must well find new ideas if they are to defy the mighty Red Giants on their own turf — something many teams in the country will find daunting but not impossible.
According to David, the team must win by two clear goals if they want to advance to the Malaysia Cup semi-finals this year.
“Selangor are no doubt a formidable opponent to take on, especially when they are playing on their own turf. We must now go to Shah Alam feeling like we are playing a home match, stay focussed and do all we can to win it for the fans,” he said.
This was because it is not like Selangor have never lost a home match before and Sarawak must not see the task as an impossibility. Winning the match tomorrow would also represent a chance to replicate their Malaysia Cup performance in 2013, where they advance to the semi-finals.
Except for skipper Joseph Kalang Tie who is still out serving a suspension, all of the Crocs’ squad players are available for the match.
The Sarawak versus Selangor match kicks off 8.45pm on Saturday.