Sports

Tuesday July 8, 2008

Yunus stumped by his team’s form

By LOGANATH VELLOO

GEORGE TOWN: Visiting teams dreaded taking on Terengganu in Super League matches at the Sultan Ismail Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.

But the tables have been turned in the Malaysia Cup competition. Terengganu are now finding performing at home to be an intimidating experience.

In two Group A matches at home thus far, the Turtles dished out below par performances – drawing with Selangor (1-1) and losing to Kelantan (1-2).

Coach Yunus Alif finds it baffling why the same set of players who were formidable at home in the league are now finding it difficult to lift their game in front of their own crowd.

And he is keeping his fingers crossed that the players can regain their old confidence and composure against high-riding Negri Sembilan tomorrow.

“The coaches held a discussion with the players. But we were unable to pinpoint the exact cause for the decline. We cannot blame the home fans’ reactions to the slide as they have been a demanding lot all this while,” said Yunus.

“The entire team played nervously in both games (against Selangor and Kelantan) and at times it was as if they were shouldering a tremendous burden. I have seen what my players are capable in the Super League matches and it is time for them to play to their true ability. They need to toughen up mentally if Terengganu are to qualify for the quarter-finals.”

The FA Cup semi-finalists are now in third place in the group on seven points from five matches – six points behind leaders Kelantan and Negri, both of whom have played one game more.

Terengganu’s cause was not helped by a surprise 1-2 defeat by Sarawak in Kuching last Thursday. The Turtles were not in action last Sunday as their opponents Selangor were involved in the Sultan of Selangor Cup at the Shah Alam Stadium. The match will be played on July 18.

“The dropped points at home and the defeat in Kuching have left us with no choice but to go for broke and win the remaining five matches. The extra rest should come in handy as Terengganu have been going through a punishing schedule for the past one month due to our commitments in the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup.”

Besides chasing the two teams ahead of them, Terengganu are also wary of the threat posed by Selangor, who are behind them on inferior goal difference.

The other teams in the group are Sarawak and Malacca, who have six and three points respectively.

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