PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan coach K. Devan is looking to snap their five-match winless streak in a tough face-off against high-riding Kuala Lumpur in the Super League action at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras today.
The Deer have yet to win since May, having recorded three draws against Kelantan United (3-3), Kuching City (1-1) and Penang (1-1).
Negri lost two away matches to Pahang (3-4) and Super League leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim (0-2).
Devan is aware that his team need to win to improve their position in the Super League table but admitted preparation over the last two weeks has not been as smooth as they had hoped for.
Negri have slipped to 10th spot in the Super League standings with 19 points after 16 matches.
“Our preparations were affected when several key players including Shahrel Fikri Fauzi, Anselmo da Silva from Brazil, Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak and Saiful Ridzuan Selama are out because of injuries.
“The absence of strikers Shahrel and Da Silva will definitely weaken our attacking side but we need to find a way to win again.”
He is banking on Herold Goulon from France and Levy Madinda from Gabon.
“We only have two import players Mark (Goulon) and Levy whom we can field at the moment as Safuwan Baharuddin has returned to his original team Selangor.”
Selangor coach Tan Cheong Hoe is also hoping for his team to win again after they went down to a disappointing 0-1 defeat to Pahang last week.
They will take on Penang at the PJ City Council Stadium today.
“I have faith in my players to bounce back. It calls for strong character to come back from a defeat and perform even better,” said Cheng Hoe.
