The Azraai verdict
MOHD Khor Abdullah is the ONLY coach in Malaysian football to have won backto-back trebles with Kedah in 2007 and 2008. Azraai took his Midas touch to Negri Sembilan last season and led the Deer to the Malaysia Cup title. Negri were eliminated by Armed Forces in the quarter-finals this term and Azraai knows just how lethal the new powerhouse of Malaysian football can be. Not surprisingly, he has picked the Gladiators to edge the treble-chasing Red Warriors at Shah Alam Stadium tonight.
Here is how he rates the teams. GOALKEEPERS: (Kelantan 6040) KHAIRUL Fahmi Che Mat is a top class shot-stopper. His agility and ability to read the game have improved since he broke into the national team in 2009. He has been largely responsible for Kelantan’s unbeaten home record this year.
Armed Forces’ Mohd Farizal Harun is not in the same class yet. He is unconvincing and can be erratic at times. DEFENCE: (Armed Forces 60-40) THE soldiers have a strong fort and this is their trump card even without suspended
stopper Irwan Fadzli Idrus. Mohd Aidil Zafuan is a rock in the heart of defence while left-back Mohd Azmi Muslim is unbeatable on his day. Utility man K. Reuben and Amirizwan Taj Tajuddin are also reliable.
Central defenders S. Subramaniam and Nigerian Obinna Nwaneri are solid for Kelantan but full-backs Daudsu Jamaluddin and Nik Shahrul Azim are temperamental and is suspect under pressure.
MIDFIELD (50-50) BOTH teams have match winners in the engine room. In fact, the midfield battle will determine the champions. Forces playmaker Bruno Martelotto is well assisted by skipper Hairuddin Omar, nippy Christie Jayaseelan and Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak. Kelantan have a huge hole in the centre with Mohd Norfarhan Mohd out on suspension but the Red Warriors have capable ball winners in Mohd Badhri Radzi
and Mohd Shakir Shaari. Veteran Indra Putra Mahayuddin and Nurul Azwan Roya are the live wires while speedy Mohd Ramzul Zahini Adnan can pose a threat coming off the bench.
ATTACK (Armed Forces 60-40) KELANTAN will sorely miss their suspended Lebanese hitman Mohd Ghaddar Mahmoud. Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and on-loan striker Afiq Azmi have to conjure up the goals against an uncompromising Forces defence. The soldiers, in contrast, have the deadly Marlon
Alex James to lead the line, ably assisted from midfield by the talismanic Hairuddin Omar.