Turtles’ two Ks – Kipre and Kpah – can make it OK against Red Giants
Terengganu striker Kpah Sherman has been in sensational form for the club with seven goals in four games in the Malaysia Cup but he is not the lone star.
Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre has been the steady deputy to Sherman in the last four games.
And together, both will be out to weave their magic again in the first-leg Malaysia Cup semi-final tie against Selangor at the Petaling Jaya Stadium today.
While most eyes will be on Sherman, Kipre will also be out to impress with his intelligence and experience.
He is able to open up defences with his clever running and dribbling, allowing Sherman space and time to score.
Kipre has scored once and provided one assist in four games. He was sensational in the Super League, scoring 13 goals in 14 matches.
The 34-year-old is happy to play the supporting role.
“I don’t see myself as a deputy or anything. I’m actually happy that Sherman is performing so well. My job at the end of the day is to help the whole team. The good thing about Terengganu is that many players have the ability to score,” he said.
“Sherman has been getting many opportunities and he is taking his chances well. We also have Mickey (Faisal Halim), Manny (Manuel Ott) and Messi (Faiz Nasir), who can score goals and create chances.
“Most important for us is that everyone help each other and that will help us to progress further.”
Kipre said the Red Giants have steadied the ship under the tutelage of coach Tan Cheng Hoe and one should not underestimate them. They have gone eight games unbeaten since Cheng Hoe took over on Sept 24.
“We have prepared well, and we can say that confidence is high in our team. But we know Selangor have been doing well under their new coach,” said Kipre.
“You can see the results, and their football has changed too. We respect them, but we have a job to do, which is to get into the final.
We have the belief and will make sure to give our all when facing them.”
Terengganu also qualified for the semi-finals last year but lost to Johor Darul Ta’zim on aggregate (1-4).
They last qualified for the final in 2018 but lost to Perak 1-4 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. In the 2018 edition, Kipre was the top scorer with nine goals. terengganu last won the Malaysia Cup in 2001.