PETALING JAYA: Pahang have their backs against the wall as injuries to key players Sergio Aguero and Kevin Ingreso have weakened the team ahead of tonight’s Super League match against Police.
Pahang have yet to lose in the Super League after six matches.
It is an enviable record shared with league leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim and the Elephants will be hoping to survive the encounter against the Cops.
Naturalised Malaysian player Aguero is expected to be out for at least four weeks after tearing a leg muscle.
Ingreso, a German-born player who plays for the Philippines national team, is also down with a leg muscle injury after returning from the two-week international break recently.
For Pahang coach Fandi Ahmad, the absence of the duo had to some extent impacted the team, especially in the midfield area as seen in their 1-1 draw against Kedah last week.
“We will have to make changes for the next match. Aguero and Kevin are down and we don’t know how long it will take for them recover,” said Fandi
“So they find it difficult to kick the ball, to run and that’s why we had a problem in the middle (against Kedah) and I have to make a few changes.
“It is true that we feel lost because they’ve contributed a lot to the team, especially Aguero as it will take at least three to four weeks for him to recover.
“As for Kevin, he complained of pain in his muscles when he started training, so we will wait for the full report later.’’
The 1-1 draw on Saturday saw Pahang remain in fifth spot in the Super League with 10 points while Kedah jumped to second spot, tying with Selangor and Sabah on 13 points.
Brazilian import striker Lucas da Silva failed to convert a penalty, which would have seen Pahang claim full points but Fandi did not blame the 33-year-old.
“He was coming back to play after a long rest due to injury and now he can help strengthen the team’s attack along with Liberian Kpah Sherman.
“Lucas was not able to give 100% but maybe his fitness level is not back to its best yet.
“But I praise his sincerity because even though he still feels a little sore, he wants to try to perform as well, so I gave him a chance.
“Even during the pre-season, he really worked hard in training but a few days before the campaign started, he was injured.
“Alhamdulillah, now he is there to help the front with Kpah (Sherman)”, he added.
