PERAK WITHIN SIGHT OF CUP FINAL

Durakovic’s side are favourites to go through thanks to healthy lead

AFTER last year’s disappointment, Perak now stand a good chance of reaching their first Malaysia Cup final since 2006. Armed with a comfortable 5-0 lead from Ipoh, only a miraculous comeback from Sabah can deny Mehmet Durakovic’s side a spot in the final at the Shah Alam Stadium on Oct 27.

However, stand-in captain Shahrul Saad hopes his team will not take things for granted when they face Sabah in the return leg at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu today.

“Sabah are a different side when they play at home. Their fans will come in numbers, and we must be focused on keeping them at bay,” said Shahrul.

“Our strikers have done a good job scor- ing in the first leg and we need to defend that lead.”

Gilmar Jose, Nor Hakim Hassan, Wander Luiz, Firdaus Saiyadi and Leandro Dos Santos netted a goal each in the first leg for Perak.

Sabah have won three of four Malaysia Cup home clashes this season, but none of those wins were more than a single goal margin.

Sabah coach Jelius Ating said his team will play an attacking game in the hope of scoring early goals.

“Our target is to beat Perak tomorrow (today) whether or not we reach the final,” said Jelius, adding that midfielder Azzizan Nordin and Puerto Rico striker Hector Ramos are doubtful as both are carrying injuries.

Meanwhile, Terengganu reached the final after holding Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) to a 2-2 draw in the semi-final second leg at Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru yesterday, advancing 3-2 on aggregate.