Selangor out to spoil Kedah’s double bid

SELANGOR are planning to ruin Kedah’s bid to win the President’s Cup for the first time in 14 years when they meet in the semifinals, first leg in Selayang tomorrow.

After a year-long battle through the preliminary round, the Under-21 tournament has reached the business end with Kelantan and Terengganu facing off in the first leg in Kuala Terengganu today.

Kedah and Terengganu also have a presence in the last-four of the Under-19 Youth Cup with the two states having the unique opportunity to become the first team ever to win both age-group tournaments in the same year.

Kedah, however, look as the team to beat in the President’s Cup when they travel to Selayang Stadium for the semi-final, first leg against Selangor tomorrow.

In Akhyar Abdul Rashid, Kedah possess a player capable of turning a game on its’ ahead with the forward having already broken into Kedah’s senior team and was part of the national Under-22 side which won silver at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games last month.

However, midfielder Zulfahamzie Tarmizi also showed he can be a game-changer after scoring twice over two legs to eliminate Kuala Lumpur 4-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

Coach Victor Andrag’s side are determined to win the competition for the first time since 2003, which was also the last time Kedah made the final when they beat Kelantan 2-0.

Selangor last won the President’s Cup in 2008 but midfielder Syazwan Salihin is confident the team are capable of going all the way after knocking out Darul Ta’zim 2-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

“The battle for places in the team is healthy and the team has been playing well and very consistently,” said Syazwan, who missed the second leg win over Darul Ta’zim through suspension.

“We move well as a unit and I hope whoever is selected for the game is ready to play and those who are not selected will pray for our win.

“I hope I can play my best if selected and I will fight for my place.”

The winner of this tie will meet either defending champions Kelantan or Terengganu in the final with the two East Coast rivals meeting in the first leg at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium today.

Kelantan are looking to become the first team to win the President’s Cup three years in a row and to lift the trophy for a fifth time since 2011. Devinder Singh