Nothin to lose
Debutants PKNP have everything to gain in q-final against Felda
PETALING JAYA: Surprise package Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) believe they have nothing to lose now that they are through to the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals.
The odds may be heavily stacked against the Premier League debutants but head coach Abu Bakar Fadzim feels that his men have everything to gain when they face the more established Super League side Felda United in the last eight.
PNKP will play Felda in the first leg of the quarter-finals at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka, Pahang, on Friday. “What else can I ask from my players? “They have worked hard and come this far. We are the only Premier League side to have qualified for the quarter-finals.
“All the Super League teams who have qualified have their own success story and history. We are a relative newcomer, so it doesn’t matter who we meet because we have come this far,” said Abu Bakar.
PKNP emerged as Group A champions with 11 points after holding Negri Sembilan to a goalless draw in their last match at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Saturday.
They finished ahead of two Super League sides – Pahang and T-Team.
The other quarter-final matches see Johor Darul Ta'zim facing Melaka, Perak taking on Pahang and Kedah meeting Selangor.
Abu Bakar is aware that it would be tough against Felda as “they are a much-im- proved side”.
“This team (Felda) played in the AFC Cup this year. They are way ahead of us in terms of experience and quality,” he said.
“But there is always a chance that we to turn the tables on them if we get our game plan right. I have five days to work something out.”
Abu Bakar is also not taking anything for granted as they will be playing on an artificial pitch in Jengka.
“I’m looking around to train on a similar pitch in the next few days. It’s a huge challenge for the players,” he said.
PKNP will be counting on strikers Kim Hyeon-woo and Mohd Shahrel Fikri Fauzi to deliver the goals.
PKNP won promotion to the Premier League after finishing as FAM Cup runners-up last year.