Sneaky Sathia
Felda coach plays mind games ahead of clash with Kedah
PETALING JAYA: Felda United coach B. Sathianathan has wasted no time in ramping up the mind game ahead of next month’s Malaysia Cup semi-final against defending champions Kedah.
The Fighters overturned a 3-1 deficit against Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) in the first leg quarter-finals to win the return clash 4-1 at the Shah Alam Stadium on Sunday for a 5-4 aggregate victory.
Sathianathan has tagged Kedah as the favourites to advance to the final, saying he’s proud of his players’ performance in the sensational win over PKNP.
“Kedah are the defending champions. They have won the FA Cup this year and have a good squad with quality players. So, they have the edge over us in the semi-finals,” said the 59-year-old coach yesterday.
“My players did well against PKNP. Their determination was the key in that match.
“Our captain Shukor Adan’s leadership made the difference as he rallied the players to push for victory. Nobody gave us a chance against PKNP but we turned it around.
“Now we want to push ourselves harder.
“This bunch of players have plenty of character. The tougher our opponents, the better we play. We will have only ourselves to blame if we don’t do well in the semi-finals.”
Meanwhile, Sathianathan revealed that Felda will form a guard of honour for Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) when the two sides meet at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka tomorrow.
The former national team coach said that JDT deserved to be champions.
“I’ll tell my players to go out and enjoy the game against the best team in the country. There’s nothing to fight in the league, but we won’t give them an easy match,” said Sathianathan.
Kedah have won the FA Cup this year and have a good squad with quality players.
B. Sathianathan