No let-up: Kedah’s Ariff Farhan Isa (right) vying for the ball with Perak’s Seo Seonung in the Super League match at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Friday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: “I know them, and they know me.”
That is exactly how Kedah coach Nafuzi Zain feels as he devises his strategies against former team Terengganu in the Super League match at the Darulaman Stadium today.
“I will be taking on a Terengganu team who are hard to beat. They have established stars as some of them are national team players. They know me, I know them, so that would add an interesting dynamic to the game,” said Nafuzi.
Nafuzi said the game would be a special one for him because he would be meeting the players whom he had helped groom over the course of his career from 2017 to 2022.
“Terengganu were the first team I coached. I trained a lot of the players there now so this game would be special and nostalgic at the same time,” he said.
The Canaries started the season by beating northern rivals Perak 4-1 at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Friday and it has boosted their confidence for the upcoming games.
“Even though we won easily, performance-wise, it was not what I wanted or expected,” said Nafuzi.
“But I understand the first game is not easy, new team, new players ... Lots of assimilation and chemistry are still needed.
“But the win would boost our confidence. We will improve game by game.
“As for the foreign players, their contribution has been good, and they are playing their roles well.
“But I know they can do more compared to what they did against Perak.”
Against the Turtles, Nafuzi wants his charges to be highly focused in the first half to ensure they are in a comfortable position.
“The Turtles lost their opening match to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and I know these players are very determined. They will want to make amends for that defeat.
“The Terengganu players are also better prepared physically. Having said that, I don’t think it will stop my players from giving their best. I have faith in all my players,” he said.
Meanwhile, Terengganu head coach Tomislav Steinbruckner is expecting a torrid time from Kedah.
“Nafuzi is a good coach and he has a good team. So, we will see who will be luckier or has more quality,” he said.
Steinbruckner said he would be relying on naturalised player Liridon Krasniqi to provide the creative spark in midfield since Habib Haroon is still out with a hamstring injury.
