LOSERS TOLD TO PLAY LIKE CHAMPIONS
Coach Zainal says Penang still can save their season
PENANG coach Zainal Abidin Hassan has urged his relegationthreatened side to play like champions in their remaining five Super League matches to avoid the drop. Penang are currently bottom of the standings with only nine points after 17 matches with Melaka at 11th with 12 points. The bottom two teams in the Super League will be relegated,
Zainal’s side will face third-placed Pahang at home today, followed by matches against T-Team (Aug 8), T-Team (Sept 20), Perak (Sept 30) and Selangor (Oct 21).
“I believe we can still avoid relegation. I have reminded the players to play like champions in the remaining matches. We cannot afford to drop points,” Zainal said yesterday.
“The good thing is that we are not playing in the Malaysia Cup while the gap in terms of points among the bottom-half teams is small.
“Any team from seventh place onwards can get relegated if they are not consistent. We do not need to rely on favours to remain in the Super League.”
“Overall, my team have improved in terms of performance, but it does not matter anymore as we need to win matches. I do not mind if we win ugly as results are very important now.”
Darul Ta’zim will be crowned champions today if they beat Perak at Larkin Stadium, while second-place Kedah and Pahang lose their respective matches.
Selangor aim to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches when they travel to Jengka to face Felda United today.
“Our players are playing to form and we are hoping that the good momentum will continue tomorrow.
“Our hopes to finish in the top three will be better if we can beat Felda,” said Selangor coach P. Maniam.