PETALING JAYA: Intense and tricky – that is how Selangor coach Tan Cheng Hoe has described his next Super League tie. The Red Giants will take on Negri Sembilan at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi today, with the hopes of strengthening their hold of the second spot in the league.
Selangor have 43 points from 20 games to be second but know a win is a must because they are only three points behind Kedah, who have 40 points from 19 games.
Cheng Hoe said the 2-0 victory against Kuala Lumpur last week was important as it gives his side the impetus to do well against Negri.
“The victory from the last game should be the team’s biggest motivation and should encourage the team more for today. Keeping up this winning momentum will hold us in good stead to be in the best position in the league,” he said.
“We anticipate the game will be intense because in the previous two matches against Negri, we conceded early goals but we were able to recover from the situation thankfully.
“We need to focus on each of their counterattacks because it is one of the opponent’s strengths.”
Cheng Hoe’s squad will be a little depleted as he will not have some key players, but he is not pressing the panic button.
“The team’s preparation is quite good, but some players are doubtful and may not travel with the team such as Brendan Gan and Noor Al-Rawabdeh due to ankle injuries.
“The coaching staff will be looking for replacements for Safuwan Baharudin and V. Ruventhiran because both of them will not be with the team due to suspension after collecting three yellow cards.
“But we believe in the depth we have and the ones who can replace them.”Meanwhile, Negri coach K. Devan has revealed that there would be changes to his first eleven after their shock 0-2 defeat against Kelantan last week.
“We will make changes, that’s for sure. We will have a decent first eleven against Selangor. Casa (Casagrande) is back from injury and we hope to partner him with our new signing Youssef (Ezzejjari),” he said.
“I have told the boys they have nothing to lose when they face Selangor. I told them to turn the weaknesses to strengths against Selangor.”
