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Tuesday October 6, 2009

Johor FC feel their loss to Perak is due to bad karma

By LOGANATH VELLOO

GEORGE TOWN: Johor FC feel that it was bad karma that brought them down to earth in a 0-2 home defeat by Perak in a Malaysia Cup Group C match last Saturday.

Coach Ramlan Rashid joked that the surprise defeat was the price that they had to pay for squeezing out victories despite performing badly in the first two matches.

The club side opened with a 1-0 win over Kuala Lumpur and then thumped UPB-MyTeam 4-1. But Johor FC’s bubble was burst by strikes from Perak’s in-form striker Razali Umar Kandasamy and Mohd Noor Hasrul.

“It is a perplexing situation. We managed to win the two games in which I felt the players were not performing well. Then were punished at home by Perak when we played much better,” he said from Johor Baru yesterday.

Rising together: Johor FC’s Mohd Syafuan Riduwan (left) and Perak’s Varathan Arumugam jumping to head the ball during their Malaysia Cup match on Saturday. — Bernama

“The inconsistency needs to stop immediately and we need to work hard in all the three remaining matches to make the knockout stage.”

The contest for the top spot in Group C is the most open among the five groups in the preliminary rounds of the competition.

Johor FC and Perak are tied at the top on six points each followed by KL (four) and MyTeam (one).

“What makes Group C special is that there are no clear favourites. All four teams have their own strengths and weaknesses and are capable of beating each other based on the form on the day,” said Ramlan.

“But Johor FC face an uphill task as our last two games are both away against MyTeam and Perak. Before hitting the road, it is important that we take full points at home tomorrow (today against KL).”

Meanwhile, Kelantan and Selangor can become the first two teams to book their places in the quarter-finals if results go their way today.

Group E leaders Kelantan only need to beat second-placed Penang, whom they lead by five points, in Kota Baru to be confirmed as group winners.

In Group D, Super League and FA Cup champions Selangor need to defeat Sabah in Shah Alam and hope for the Kuala Muda Naza-Police match to end in a draw in Alor Setar to confirm their ticket.

The five group winners and three best second-placed finishers qualify for the quarter-finals.

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