DARUL Ta’zim coach Bojan Hodak did not think qualification for the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals would come with a match to spare but it now gives him a chance to rest a few weary legs.
The Super League champions not only reached the last eight with Friday’s 1-0 win over Armed Forces in Selayang but also secured top spot in Group C, rendering Tuesday’s match against Kelantan, who are assured of second place, academic.
Yet Hodak realises that any clash against Kelantan, regardless of the context, is a matter of pride and will still take a competitive side to Kota Baru to finish the preliminary campaign on a high.
“I may make a few changes but when it comes to Kelantan, everybody wants to win because of the recent history of the two teams,” said Hodak yesterday.
“Some players on two yellow cards like Amri (Yahyah) and Asraruddin (Putra Omar) may not play to avoid the risk of suspension. I also have to look at who is injured and who is available after Friday’s match.
“Marcos (Antonio) and Lucho (Luciano Figueroa) both picked up knocks and we’ll see if they can recover in time to play.”
Figueroa scored the winner against Forces early in the first half before Darul Ta’zim repelled B. Sathianathan’s side in the second half as the Johor club ended a run five matches without a win against their rivals.
“Sooner or later we would have to win against Forces. We played well against them in both games and should have won both (they drew 0-0 at Larkin earlier),” said Hodak.
“It’s been tough, the fifth match in a row we have played with almost the same players and everybody is tired. I think there was fatigue in both teams.”
Kelantan coach George Boateng was also relieved to get the job done early after beating Penang 3-1 in Georgetown in a match which featured an incredible scissors-kick goal by Khairul Izuan Rosli.
“As a coach, now I think the hard work starts,” said Boateng after the match at the City Stadium. “We’ve done well in the group stage to qualify.
“If you look at how difficult our group was, and to qualify like this in my first job, this moment I think I can be proud of my players.”
In the quarter-finals to be played on Oct 3-4 and Oct 17-18, Darul Ta’zim will meet the Group B runners-up while Kelantan take on the Group B winners. By Devinder Singh