First-timers KDMM FC won’t speculate on chances
KOTA KINABALU: The Kadazandusun Murut Malaysia Football Club is playing it safe by not speculating on their chances in the FAM Cup League competition this season.
Team manager Henry Saimpon said instead of speculating on their chances, it would be better to focus on strengthening the squad to ensure they are ready for the tournament proper which begins on February 28.
“There is no issue for us being in a tough group or easy group. We do not have to worry about this. This is our first time entering this competition so we do not even know the strength of our rivals.
“Our focus is on preparation, which is now up to 70-80 per cent. We have to be ready because victory will only come with the effort we put into every match,” he said when contacted after attending the FAM Cup League grouping draw yesterday.
KDMM FC is drawn in Group B along with Perak PKNP FC, Melaka SAMB FC, Kelantan MPKB-BRI U-BES FC, Persatuan Bola Sepak Melayu Malaysia (PBMM), Kelab Bola Sepak Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM FC), Terengganu Hanelang FC, Ministry of Finance Football Club (MOF FC) and KL TNB Kilat FC.
Another Sabah club-side in the competition is DYS FC and they are in Group A with MISC-MIFA, Persatuan Bola Sepak Ipoh (Ipoh FC), Megah Murni FC, AirAsia Allstars FC, Sungai Ara FC, Felcra FC, Shahzan Muda FC and Penjara FC.
The teams will compete in a home and away league format to determine the top four teams from each group to enter the quarterfinal.
The quarterfinal, semi-final and finals will be played in a return league knock-out format.
The finalist teams will earn promotion to the Premier League next season.
“Our target is to be in the top four of the group challenge. If we make it, then we can set another target after that,” Henry said.
The preparation of the team under Andrew Majanggim is going smoothly and the team will have several warm up matches in Tenom and Keningau this weekend.
They have not received any fixtures but it is believed that KDMM FC will begin their quest with three consecutive home matches at the Keningau Sports Complex.