Kelantan, Selangor look to bounce back
Malaysia Super League heavyweights Kelantan and Selangor will both be looking to bounce back from disappointing starts to the Malaysia Cup on Saturday.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
Kelantan, who have already won both the Super League and the FA Cup this season, were expected to comfortably qualify from Group B but fell to a 2-0 loss to rivals Terengganu at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium on Wednesday.
Goals from Francis Forkey Doe and Ismail Faruqi Asha'ri, and an inspired display from goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee Ramli, condemned the Red Warriors to an opening game defeat, making it imperative that Bojan Hodak's charges get back to winning ways this weekend when they take on recently-relegated Kedah.
Terengganu, will be looking to continue their winning start when they take on ATM, who beat Hijau-Kuning 2-0 in the group's other game in midweek, courtesy of goals from K. Reuben and Zaquan Adha.
Selangor's bid to win the competition for a 33rd time - dubbed "Mission 33" - got off to a poor start as they fell to a shock 2-1 loss against Sarawak.
The Red Giants took the lead in the eighth minute when Ronny Harun netted an own-goal but the Crocs equalised nine minutes later through Ashri Chuchu, before Sharudin Yakup popped shortly after the hour mark to net the winner.
Nonetheless, Ifran Bakti's men will not have it easy as they take on Pahang, who are flying high after sealing promotion from the Premier League and beating T-Team 3-2 in their opening tie.
Sarawak travel to T-Team in the group's other encounter.
Over in Group A, Super League runners-up LIONSXII are hoping for home comforts when they entertain PKNS FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
V. Sundramoorthy's side looked uncharacteristically toothless as they struggled to create any clear-cut chances in their opening match against Johor FC, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
The group's other game will see local rivals Johor and Johor FC do battle at the Tan Sri Dato Hj Hassan Yunos Stadium.
Finally in Group D, new Perak coach Jang Jung will hope to record his first win when his side host Felda United at the Perak Stadium, while Negri Sembilan are at home against Sime Darby.
Saturday's Malaysia Cup Fixtures
Group A
LIONSXII vs PKNS FC
Johor vs Johor FC
Group B
ATM vs Terengganu
Kelantan vs Kedah
Group C
Negri Sembilan vs Sime Darby
Perak vs Felda United
Group D
T-Team vs Sarawak
Selangor vs Pahang