KUALA LUMPUR: Perak State Development Corporation FC (PKNP) are fired up to complete their debut season with the FAM Cup crown as they play MISC-MIFA in the two-leg final of the third-tier competition.
The teams will face-off tomorrow in the first leg at Shah Alam Stadium tomorrow, followed by the return leg in Ipoh on Oct 27.
Abu Bakar Fadzim’s side are seen as favourites in the final as his squad comprise former President’s Cup and Malaysia Games players with some having had brief spells with the Perak senior team last season.
“We just have to avoid conceding goals tomorrow. A good result will put us in a favourable position for the return leg as we have not lost in Ipoh throughout the season,” said Abu Bakar at Shah Alam Stadium today.
“We are a young team built around a few senior players. Our youngsters have played a lot of games for Perak in the President’s Cup while some were part of the state youth team that won gold medals in the Malaysia Games in 2014 and this year. No doubt, they have the experience but I fear they could become nervous in their first senior final.
“I think MISC-MIFA are the favourites. The club have good senior players and furthermore, they are in their third season in the FAM Cup.”
As for MISC-MIFA, coach Jacob Joseph said his team must win the match tomorrow.
“Our strength is teamwork. If we can maintain our consistency and also play to strategy, I believe we can succeed. PKNP have very good midfielders and forwards, and it will be hard to contain them.
“We need to be cautious but of course, the important thing for us as the home team is to score some goals,” said Joseph.
The champions will receive RM200,000 with the runners-up taking home RM100,000.