Melaka out to end losing streak in Terengganu tie

PETALING JAYA: Melaka will be looking to end their eight-match winless run when they take on Terengganu in their Super League clash tonight.

Melaka, under new coach E. Elavarasan (pic), ended their fourmatch losing streak following a goalless draw with Perak on May 12 and a 1-1 drawwith PKNS last Wednesday.

But the Mousedeers, who are 10th in the 12-team Super League table with 11 points, are desperately seeking points to inch away from the relegation zone. The match against the Turtles at the Sultan Ismail Stadium in Kuala Terengganu will be a massive test for Melaka tonight.

Elavarasan said that he is hoping to get a positive result from the match but is aware of the tough task at hand.

“We stopped losing, which is a good sign and the next step is to start winning matches but we’re playing stronger teams in the top half of the league – so it’s harder for us now,” said the 53-year-old coach yesterday.

“Terengganu have won their last two matches and they have good players, besides being coached by a very experienced Irfan Bakti. I coached Terengganu five years ago, so I know how passionate their fans can be.

“We could have won the last two matches but the good sign is the players are regaining their confidence and are playing much better. I’m confident of getting a win soon as long as the players are working as hard as they’re doing now.”

Melaka will be without injured skipper R. Surendran and rightback G. Puaneswaran, while striker Fakri Saarani will miss the match due to suspension.

Elavarasan said he is confident the other players will be able to step up the game.

He also added that their new signing – winger Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim from Premier League side Johor

Darul Ta’zim II – has a 50-50 chance of featuring in the match.

“In the last game our winger S. Chanturu could have won the match but he could not convert the chances. The fans are criticising him for the misses but for me, I can see that he’s slowly regaining his touches,” said Elavarasan.

“Some of the players here need to get back their confidence and they are about to find their form. They need support at this time and I really hope our fans can back the players,” he said.