KEDAH are short of quality defenders for today’s Malaysia Cup Group B match against Perak while Mehmet Durakovic’s days could be numbered if Selangor do not qualify for the quarter-finals from Group D.
Kedah’s Jose Gomez dislocated his shoulder after falling awkwardly and the centre back has returned to Spain while Australian Adam Griffiths is still recovering from an ankle injury.
As for Shahfizan Hashim, the left back will serve his second match suspension after receiving a straight red card against Sarawak last week.
Kedah are third in Group B with seven points behind joint leaders Perak and Terengganu, who have eight points each. Bottom-placed Sarawak, with four points, have no chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
The Premier League side started badly in the competition by losing the opening two games before notching one draw and two wins in the following matches.
Kedah coach Tan Cheng Hoe hopes Griffiths will pass a late fitness test and play in today’s match.
“We need experienced legs in defence for this crucial match. Griffiths has started light training,” said Cheng Hoe in Alor Star yesterday.
Cheng Hoe’s side were also without the trio in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Terengganu. The backline comprising Khairul Helmi Johari, Azmizi Azmi, Fazliata Taib and Syazwan Tajuddin could have done better.
“Perak are a quality side. We have the advantage of playing at home and this factor will give more confidence to my boys.
“Frankly, I am very impressed with my team. We lost the opening two games but bounced back impressively. They have gained confidence and are playing their best football,” Cheng Hoe added.
Terengganu should collect three points against Sarawak at Sultan Nasiruddin Shah Stadium today to take up the other quarter-final spot in the group.
Durakovic, the former Selangor captain, is feeling the pressure following his team’s poor performances in the last two matches.
Defensive lapses led to the 2-1 defeat to Sime Darby followed by the 1-1 draw with Police last weekend.
The Super League runners-up are not playing their best football and a defeat to T-Team at Shah Alam Stadium today will be unacceptable to the fans.
Selangor have not won a title since their league win in 2010 and this will be extended to another season if they fail to beat the Terengganu side.
But to be fair, Durakovic was given a ready-made side when he arrived in Selangor last November.
Despite the shortcoming, he achieved his target of finishing in the top three in the league. Their target was the Malaysia Cup final.
The 32-time champions are third with seven points, one more than Sime Darby followed by T-Team (three).
Premier League champions Police, who lead with 13 points, will take on third-placed Sime Darby at Paroi Stadium.