Kedah skipper wants back-up players to step up to the plate
PETALING JAYA: Kedah skipper Khairul Helmi Johari wants the back-up players to stand up and be counted against Selangor in their Super League match at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar tonight.
The Red Eagles are without six regulars due to national call-ups and suspension – jeopardising their title chase as there are only seven more matches left.
Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim, Ariff Farhan Md Isa, Farhan Roslan, Syafiq Ahmad and Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik have been called up for the national Under-23 team’s centralised training while attacking midfielder Mohd Akram Mahinan is suspended for tonight’s match.
Defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) lead the 12-team standings with 36 points – nine ahead of second-placed Kedah. Selangor are fourth with 23 points.
The Red Giants have not beaten Kedah in Alor Setar since 2011 and Khairul has called on his teammates to keep their impressive record against Selangor intact.
“We have to get a result, it’s simple as that. Selangor are no easy opponents and we’ll be weakened by the absence of the seven players. But we must work hard for a positive result,” said Khairul.
“I think this is the best chance for our reserve and President’s Cuppers players to prove their worth and break into the team. Players must be ready to take their chances.”
Khairul, of Sungai Petani, feels that Kedah are under no pressure to stay in the title race as “we’ve secured our berth in the AFC Cup competition next year” after winning the FA Cup on May 20.
“We are nine points behind JDT, but our target this season is to qualify to the AFC Cup and we’ve done it by winning the FA Cup,” said the international.
“There are still seven matches to play and we don’t know what will happen. So, I think it’s better to focus on one game at a time and see where it takes us.”