Turtles bent on overtaking KL
TERENGGANU coach Irfan Bakti is determined to stop Kuala Lumpur from winning the Premier League title.
It has now become a four-team race for the top two promotion slots in the competition with six matches remaining this season.
Kuala Lumpur lead by one point following an impressive 6-3 hammering of Kuantan FA on Friday, while Terengganu, who thrashed Perlis 4-0, leapfrogged Negri Sembilan to second position with 34 points.
Negri, who had led the opening 14 rounds in the competition, are third with 33 points after a disappointing 0-0 draw with bottom-place MISC-MIFA, two more than fourth-place Perak SEDC, who fell 2-1 to Johor.
Irfan said the Turtles have finally hit form and that they want to win the competition.
Brazilians Gabriel Dos Santos (27th minute) and Lazaro (49th) along with Ivorian Kipre Tchetche (43rd) and Ridzuan Abdunloh Pula (80th) netted for Terengganu.
“It is our biggest win of the season. Our mid-season signings in Dos Santos, Tchetche, Ridzuan and Azi Shahril Azmim have given the team more depth. We have been churning out consistent performances after the break,” Irfan said yesterday.
“Any of the top four teams can finish top two in the league for promotion spots. Our priority is promotion.
“KL have hit form but we are not going let them win the title easily. We want to give KL a good fight and maybe win the title.
“Goals could be a decider in deciding the champions and runners-up. We need to pile up as many goals in our matches.”
Irfan said the following two matches against Kuala Lumpur (on July 21) and Negri (on July 25) will probably be a decider in the race for promotion.
“At this stage, none of the top four teams can afford to drop points. But it is getting difficult as all four also have to juggle the Malaysia Cup.
“It is a matter of prioritising and I believe all four are focusing on the Premier League.
“We drew our opening two matches in the Malaysia Cup. Things are looking good but I will rest a few players when we travel to Kuching on Tuesday.
“Rotation is the best policy. It is a matter of choosing the right players for each match as I cannot afford injuries,” Irfan added.