Top scorers Santo, Kipre aim to outdo each other

Cup leading scorers Diogo Santo and Tchetche Kipre will face off again when Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) entertain last year’s runners-up Terengganu in the quarter-final return leg at Larkin Stadium today.

Both Santo and Kipre have scored six goals each in the competition.

However, the Brazil-born JDT striker has netted 20 goals so far in all competitions compared to Kipre’s 13.

Kipre was almost axed by Terengganu but the club changed their mind after he managed to hit form in the second half of the season.

In last Saturday’s first leg in Kuala Terengganu, Santo came up tops by scoring JDT’s only goal in the 1-0 win over Nafuzi Zain’s side.

Terengganu will have to pull off something special to upset the odds against JDT, who are almost unbeatable at Larkin, today.

JDT coach Benjamin Mora said Terengganu have the ability to overturn the result.

“There is still 90 minutes of football left in this tie. We need to take a cautious approach against Terengganu.

“We have done our homework on the east coast side and have also rectified our weaknesses in all aspects.

“My players need to be calm and patient in their approach,” said Mora.

Nafuzi, who is Terengganu’s caretaker coach, has reminded his players not to be overzealous in their hopes to score goals.

“We have to be cautious with JDT’s tactical approach.

“Although we have to score at least two goals tomorrow (today) to reach the semi-finals, we cannot afford to leave our defence unattended.

“Our defence needs to be alert as JDT have a lethal attack. We must not show fear tomorrow although they are very strong at home.

“I have come up with strategies and hopefully, the players will follow instructions until the final whistle,” he said.