Let’s go: Safwan Mazlan can’t wait for action against Kuala Lumpur tonight. — Terengganu FC
PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur are expected to go into battle against Terengganu with guns blazing but one of the Turtles’ youngest players Safwan Mazlan is ready for the challenge.
Terengganu pulled off a 2-1 win in the first-leg semi-final of the Malaysia Cup at the Cheras Football Stadium last week but they know the City Boys will return in full force in the second leg at the Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak today.
Only Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre was leading the line for Kuala Lumpur in the first leg but this time, he will have back-up in the form of Colombian playmaker Romel Morales, naturalised Brazilian playmaker and captain Paulo Josue.
The 21-year-old Safwan is in contention for the game after missing out on the first leg due to an injury.
“As a defender, whether as a leftback or centreback, the challenge will be daunting. In the first semi-final, there was only Kipre and we had the advantage from the sidelines. We won the game, plus it was an away game, so even more special,” said Safwan, who stands tall at 1.80m.
Don’t be sad: Kuala Lumpur striker Tchetche Kipre (right) consoles Terengganu goalkeeper Suhaimi Hussin after the FA Cup semi-final first-leg match.
“But it is going to be a whole new challenge in the second leg because they will play more forwards.
“This time Morales will be playing and they have a set-piece weapon in the form of Josue.
“The aim is to be cautious and disciplined because we want to make sure we keep the aggregate intact. We want to make sure that we win this semi-final in front of our home fans and get to the final of the Cup.”
The Turtles will not have the services of influential Uzbekistani midfielder Nurillo Tukhtasinov, who is suspended after collecting two yellow cards in the competition.
In his place, coach Tomislav Steinbruckner could either play Iranian-Filipino midfielder Omid Nazari or creative playmaker Liridon Krasniqi.
Last year, Terengganu qualified for the semi-finals but lost 2-3 to eventual runners-up Selangor on aggregate.
They last qualified for the final in 2018 but lost to Perak 1-4 in a penalty shootout, after a 3-3 draw in the full regulation time at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Terengganu are just a step away from reaching the final and will be hoping for Safwan and Co to produce a resilient performance to deny Kuala Lumpur a final outing this year.
