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Sports

Tuesday July 7, 2009

Unwanted break may hurt Perlis chances to pip Selangor to Super League title

By LOGANATH VELLOO

GEORGE TOWN: Perlis coach Irfan Bakti is worried that an upcoming break in the Super League will affect his team’s chances of pipping Selangor to the title.

The league takes a two-week break following tonight’s matches to accommodate the national team’s friendly matches against Liberia (July 12 and 14) and Manchester United (July 18).

With three matches to go, Perlis have been successful in maintaining the pressure on leaders Selangor. The Red Giants have 54 points and they have held a slim two-point lead over the Northern Lions for the past fortnight.

But Irfan is irked with the break, which he feels comes at the most inopportune time.

“Just when the excitement and tension in the title race have built up, we are now going to be idle for the next two weeks,” he said yesterday.

“Both Perlis and Selangor are enjoying consistent runs and it is a pity that the momentum will be broken. We have to start all over again for the final two matches in two weeks’ time.”

Perlis travel to Ipoh today to take on Perak and will complete their fixtures with an away match against KL Plus (July 21) and a home game against the already relegated Police (July 25).

Selangor, who host Kuala Muda Naza today, face Police in Paroi on July 21 before tackling Pahang in Shah Alam four days later.

Irfan acknowledged that Selangor have a much easier run-in to the title but his team are not about to release the pressure on the leaders.

He feels that the prospect of playing two of their remaining three matches away from home will not be a disadvantage for the Northern Lions. In contrast, the Red Giants will be at home twice in the same period.

“We have done well to keep up with Selangor thus far. We want to remain in a position where we are ready to pounce should Selangor slip up in any of their remaining matches,” said Irfan.

“It is an open secret that we have been producing the better performances in away matches as there is less pressure from our home fans.

“But every game will be counted as a challenge and we cannot afford to take any opponents lightly. Perak, our opponents tomorrow, have an unpredictable young team capable of producing surprises.”

For tonight’s game, Perlis will be without influential midfielder Azi Shahril Azmi, who scored the winner against Johor FC in Kangar last Saturday. He is out on suspension.

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