Keep a positive mind against JDT, urges Perak manager

PETALING JAYA: Cut out the negative vibes.

This is manager Ahmad Shahrul Azahar’s advice to the Perak football team ahead of the crucial Malaysia Cup semi-finals second leg clash with Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Baru on Saturday.

Perak have a mountain to climb after they could only garner a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh last Sunday.

To add to Perak’s worries is that JDT have been undefeated at the Larkin Stadium for four seasons. Powered by Lebanese Mohamed Ghaddar Mohamed and Argentines Gabriel Guerra and Gonzalo Gabrera, JDT have scored 48 goals in 17 matches in all competitions at home this season.

Despite the odds against them, Ahmad Shahrul wants his players to believe they can get the job done on Sunday.

“We have to change this mindset that JDT cannot be beaten at home. JDT are a good side and everyone knows it. But we can’t go into the second leg believing the battle is lost. Then we might as well don’t go there (Larkin Stadium) at all.

“We should be positive at all times and must have the desire to win. My advice to the players is to play their hearts out. This game will show me who are the players with strong characters,” said Ahmad.

Earlier in their Super League clashes, Perak surprised JDT with a 2-1 win at home on Feb 18. But JDT were 2-1 winners at the Larkin Stadium on July 26.

Last Sunday, Perak had JDT by the throat. They led after an own goal by JDT leftback Mohd Hasbullah Abu Bakar Hadi in the 19th minute. But a mistake by Perak skipper Mohamed Shahrom Kalam allowed Ghaddar to score the equaliser in the 68th minute.

“We need to forget about the first leg. We haven’t qualified for the final for a long time. The players should try to focus and take the team to the final again,” said Ahmad Shahrul.

Perak reached the final in 2006, but lost 3-0 to Kedah.

The good news for Perak is that Leandro Santos, their Brazilian strongman in the engine room, is available after missing the first leg due to an ankle injury.