No element of match-fixing in big win — Batu Dua FC manager
PETALING JAYA: Batu Dua FC have attributed their team’s historic 17-1 win over Rawang City FC in the qualifying round of the FA Cup competition to the players’ determination and focus.
Batu Dua FC team manager Hairil Azri also refuted allegations that there might have been an element of matchfixing involved as the margin of victory in the match, played at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Stadium Sunday, was just too big.
“We have faith in our head coach (Zulhamizan Zakaria) and the players showed great determination by continuing to score, without bothering about the scoreline,” he told reporters after the FA Cup first-round draw here yesterday.
Hairil said their target was to win the M3 League (Division Three) and advance to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Batu Dua FC, which have former national player Abdul Manaf Mamat, former MIFA export L’lman Seydi, Azidan Sarudin, Fakhrulrazi Musa and former Pahang player Rizua Shafiqi, have been drawn to meet another amateur club, Klasiko FC, in the first round of the FA Cup.
Klasiko FC defeated Raja Permin 5-3 in the qualifying round.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Football League (MLF) chief executive officer Kevin Ramalingam also brushed aside allegations of corruption being involved in the match.
“This kind of things can happen because of the wide gulf in standard between the two teams. Batu Dua FC have experienced and former professional players in their side, so we do not doubt the integrity of the match,” he said.
The first round of the FA Cup, involving 20 amateur teams, will be held on March 2-3. The 10 winners will qualify for the second round knockout stage. Bernama