No shock this time for Durakovic

COACH Mehmet Durakovic was sacked by Selangor despite guiding them to the Malaysia Cup crown in 2015.

But the Australian will not see a similar experience happening at Perak as he has extended his contract with the club for another season.

Durakovic, who turned 52 on Friday, however, will not have an easy task on his hands when Perak play Darul Ta’zim in today’s Malaysia Cup semi-final first leg match in Ipoh as five regulars are not available.

Midfielders Yashir Pinto and Hafiz Kamal are down with long term injuries, while midfield talisman Leandro Dos Santos twisted his ankle in training.

Nazrin Nawi and Jasazrin Jamaluddin, who were both signed from Darul Ta’zim, cannot play in both legs as part of the clause in their contracts between the teams.

Several big names were linked to Durakovic’s job of late but the Perak FA offered him a contract extension recently following the team’s promising performances in all competition.

“I have just signed for one year and will definitely be back next season,” said Durakovic in Ipoh yesterday.

“It is Perak’s first appearance in 10 years in the Malaysia Cup semi-finals.

“But I have ended this drought, and I will not stop here. hope our fans will pack the stadium as we need all the help we can get to beat the best team in Malaysian football.”

Durakovic, however, admitted the absence of core players, especially, Dos Santos, is a huge blow to his team’s aspirations in the Malaysia Cup.

“Dos Santos is our main player in midfield...not having half of my regulars is a blow, but it is okay. I hope the replacements can step up and prove themselves .

“The national players — Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy, Shahrom Kalam, Nazirul Naim Che Hashim and Amirul Azhan Aznan — are back but honestly, they are slightly tired .

Durakovic said Perak’s best bet of reaching the final is by winning the first leg at home convincingly.

“Darul Ta’zim are a nightmare to play against in their own backyard. The Larkin Stadium is Darul Ta’zim’s fortress and it is tough for any team to beat them there.” Ajitpal Singh