Banking on old legs
Selangor rely on Amri, Razman and Ugo in q-finals against Kedah
PETALING JAYA: Selangor coach P. Maniam is banking on three thirtysomethings to guide the team to a victory over Kedah in the first leg of the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium tonight.
The three veterans are Mohd Amri Yahyah, 36; Razman Roslan, 33; and Ugo Ukah, 33.
The Red Giants and Kedah have clashed in the last two Malaysia Cup finals. Selangor won 2-0 in 2015. In 2016, the teams were tied 1-1 after extra time before the Red Eagles Kedah prevailed 6-5 in a penalty shootout.
Striker Amri and centreback Razman have Cup pedigree, having helped Selangor lift the Malaysia
Cup in 2005. Razman rejoined Selangor in 2016 while Amri returned to the fold this year.
Former Nigerian international Ukah, meanwhile, adds some much-needed stability to the backline.
Maniam was quick to point out that the Klang Valley outfit are a totally different side this year as “we are in the process of rebuilding” following the exit of several key players.
The former Selangor player said that they will treat the clash against the defending champions as “just another match”.
“We may have been in the Malaysia Cup final in the last two years.
“This year, we have a new side, with a number of youngsters. That’s why I need seasoned players like Amri, Razman and Ugo to step up to the plate and instil the winning mentality to the team,” said Maniam yesterday.
“We know Kedah’s strength. They have retained all the players from last season and further bolstered the team with good imports. They may be the favourites, but that doesn’t mean we will just give up.
“We will be relying on our teamwork to overcome them. We do not have any star players in the team but if we can all help each other out and stick to our game plan, then we can get a positive result.”
Maniam, however, may have to do without the services of Indonesian winger Andik Vermansyah, who is nursing a leg injury picked up during training.
“We will put Andik through a late fitness test tomorrow (today). He’s a quality player who can make a difference to the team,” said Maniam.