Four in race for two promotion spots
THE heat is on in the Premier League as the competition returns today with four teams still in the race to grab the two promotion tickets to the Super League next season.
With three matches left, Kuala Lumpur and Terengganu have collected 41 points each with the former at the top of the standings on goal difference.
Negri Sembilan, who were the pacesetters in the opening half of the season, are third with 38 points, one more than fourthplace Perak SEDC
Johor, who are fifth with 34 points, have an outside chance, but even if the club finish top two, they will not be promoted as they are registered as a feeder club to Darul Ta’zim.
Today, Terengganu travel to Proton Stadium in Tanjung Malim to face relegation-threatened MISC-MIFA, while KL have a tricky encounter against University Technology Mara (UiTM) at UiTM Stadium.
But the match of the day is between Perak SEDC and Negri in Ipoh where both teams cannot afford to lose.
While Negri coach Asri Ninggal had nothing to say when contacted by Timesport, Perak SEDC trainer Abu Bakar Fadzim was delighted to offer his comments on the match.
“The pressure is on Negri. We are a development team with no targets at all but of course we want to make history and get promoted”, said Abu Bakar, whose team shocked Super League’s Felda United 3-1 in last week’s Malaysia Cup quarter-final first leg match in Jengka.
“Frankly, I did not expect us to be in contention for promotion. I have fighters in my squad who want to make history for the club.
“I want the boys to continue their momentum from the Malaysia Cup in this match. It is okay if we do not get promoted as I have a young team here who have great potential to make an impact in the future.”
Captain Shahrel Fikri Fauzi is doubtful as Abu Bakar may rest him as he played through injury to score a hat-trick against Felda in the Malaysia Cup. He has scored 19 goals for Perak SEDC in all competitions.
“Shahrel is our team leader and also a source of motivation to others. I will assess his condition and see whether he can play tomorrow”, Abu Bakar added.
Terengganu coach Irfan Bakti has warned his team not to take a desperate MISC-MIFA lightly today.
“MISC-MIFA are in the relegation zone and they need points to survive. In my experience, desperate teams are hard to play against.
“I have reminded my players to focus and not to take their opponents lightly. MISC-MIFA may not be special in any way, but they have three very good foreigners who can deny us points.
“My best players are available and this is good as we cannot afford to draw or lose tomorrow,” said Irfan.