Jumbo challenge ahead for Elephants to make quarter-finals

PETALING JAYA: Pahang’s hopes of qualifying for the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals are no longer in their hands.

The Super League side are third in Group A with three points and need two wins, and the results from the other teams’ remaining matches to go their way to reach the last eight.

The winless Elephants take on already- qualified Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) in their penultimate group match at the Darul Makmur Stadium tonight and T-Team on Aug 9.

Leaders PKNP have 10 points followed by Negri Sembilan on five. T-Team are last with two points.

With their backs against the wall, Pahang skipper Matthew Davies has called on the team to win their next two matches and hope for the best.

“We dropped points because we didn’t play well at all. Now, we must make sure we get the job done,” said Davies.

Pahang have been a freefall since returning from the one-month Hari Raya Aidilfitri break in July. They only managed two wins out of nine Super League and Malaysia Cup matches.

The Elephants also lost coach Dollah Salleh, who was banned 18 months and fined RM30,000 by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on July 22 for criticising the standard of refereeing and other matters after the Super League match against Felda United on July 1.

“The recent developments have been heartbreaking. At one time we were challenging for the Super League title and managed to reach the FA Cup final (in May where they lost 3-2 to Kedah). Then, the coach was banned and everything went downhill.

“It’s really heartbreaking. Now, we need to pick ourselves up and win the next two matches,” said Davies.

In their earlier clash against PKNP in Ipoh on July 7, Pahang were held to a 1-1 draw.

Said Davies: “PNKP might be playing in the Premier League but they’re proving that they are good enough to challenge the best in the Malaysia Cup. We’ve some pointers on them after the clash. This time I think we can beat them since we are playing at home.”