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Saturday September 26, 2009

Kedah: Don’t dream of third successive Malaysia cup titlle

By LOGANATH VELLOO

GEORGE TOWN: Kedah have warned their fans not to put high expectations on them bagging a third successive Malaysia Cup title.

Even before the Malaysia Cup tournament kicks off today, the Canaries have conceded that they are not strong enough to defend the single trophy still in their possession.

In the past two years, the Malaysia Cup was flanked by the Super League and FA Cup silverware in the trophy cabinet at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar.

But those two Cups now belong to Selangor.

And Kedah, the 2007 and 2008 treble champions, feel that the Malaysia Cup could also head south to the Klang Valley.

Coach Mohd Azraai Khor, who masterminded the northerners’ conquests in the past two seasons, feels that the Red Giants are strong enough to complete their own treble this year.

“Unlike the last two years, Kedah will not start as the favourites in the Malaysia Cup. That accolade now belongs to Selangor. I feel they have the most complete squad in the local scene this year,” said Azraai in a telephone interview from Alor Setar yesterday.

“As such, our fans should not be dreaming of a third title in a row. Making the semi-finals can be considered a huge feat for the team.”

Even if the Canaries, who are in Group E with Kelantan, Penang and Armed Forces, manage to emerge as group winners, they do not have a clear path to the semis.

The Group E winners will meet the Group A champions in the quarter-finals, most likely to be Irfan Bakti’s formidable Perlis.

Said Azraai: “It is not going to be an easy ride in Group E, with the presence of a resurgent Kelantan. Penang also had a string of good results in recent friendlies and cannot be taken lightly.

“Even if we top the group, we will come up against a big obstacle in the form of Perlis in the last eight.”

The long term injuries suffered by first team players Mohd Khyril Muhymeen, V. Thirumurugan and Fadly Baharum are huge setbacks for the Canaries. All three are expected to miss the group matches.

Kedah open their title defence with a home match against the group’s weakest side – Armed Forces – tonight.

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