SUSPENSE OVER: Football Association Of Malaysia (FAM) vice-president Datuk Afandi Hamzah (centre) showing the draw for the upcoming competition. Also seen are FAM sectretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin (right) and his deputy Datuk Ahmad Fuad Daud. — Bernama photo
Robert Alberts
KUCHING: Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts contends that Sarawak have realistic chances to qualify beyond the group stages of this year’s Malaysia Cup competition.
The draw for the upcoming competition was made at 5.30pm yesterday at the Telekom Malaysia Convention Center, Jalan Pantai Baharu in Kuala Lumpur, and was aired live on national television.
The Crocs are in Group D with Kedah, Perak and this year’s Super League champion Singapore Lions XII.
“I believe that we can match the strengths of teams like Kedah and Perak. Lions XII are a very good team but I also believe that they are not impossible to beat,” Alberts said.
He continued that Singapore Lions XII were a mentally strong team which would not crack under pressure.
The Singapore team’s head coach, Sundramoorthy Varadaraju, had commented before the draw that hard work alone was not enough in the competition.
“All teams must have a little bit of luck if they want to go far in competitions. Only during the later stages can one can rely solely on hard work and skills,” he said.
As for Perak and Kedah, Alberts is of the view that they are also formidable opponents. Both teams seem to perform better in cup tournaments.
Meanwhile this year’s FA Cup champions and Malaysia Cup defending champions Kelantan were pitted with two other East Coast-based teams, Terengganu and Pahang, in Group C. Negeri Sembilan are also in the group.
In the Group B, this year’s beaten FA Cup finalist Johor DT will face Felda United, Selangor PKNS and T-Team.
32-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor will face ATM, Johor and Sime Darby in Group A.
This year’s edition of the Malaysia Cup will kick off on August 20.