KUALA LUMPUR: Ministry of Finance FC (MOF) are inching closer towards promotion after they completed the first round of the FAM Cup at the top of Group A, following a 2-1 win over KL City Hall in Bangi, last weekend.
Coach S. Balachandran, however, wants his players not to get complacent, as MOF open their campaign in the second round by taking on KL City Hall again at the UM Stadium on Sunday.
MOF, who recorded five wins and one draw in seven matches, lead with 16 points, two more than second place Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), followed by Pahang’s Shahzan Muda (13) and Felcra (11).
“Two weeks ago, we lost our lead in the group after the 1-0 defeat to UKM. It was a match we dominated despite the unavailability of four regulars, but we could not finish,” said Balachandran today
“But thankfully, we responded last weekend against KL City Hall, while UKM were edged 1-0 by Felcra.
“We have seven matches left in the group stage and I need the players to focus as there are no easy teams in the competition.
“I think winning the group is important for an easier draw in the knockout stage,” he added.
Aikal Aiman Azlan (eighth minute) and captain Rudie Ramli (24th) scored for MOF, while Amin Asraf replied for KL City Hall in the 51st minute.
In other Group A matches, Hanelang FC defeated Kadazan Dusun Murut Malaysia FC (KDMM) 2-1, while Kelantan’s MPKB-BRI-UBES edged Shahzan Muda 1-0.
In Group B, PJ Rangers and Terengganu City, who are both unbeaten, have 14 points each, but the former lead on goal difference, followed by Sime Darby with 10 points and Malacca Water Corporation Berhad FC (SAMB) on nine.
Last weekend, PJ Rangers recorded their fourth win in the group by overcoming Prisons 1-0, courtesy of Khairul Naim Mahyuddin’s goal in the 85th minute at Penjara Kajang Sports Complex.
In another match, Nurhalis Syafiq Nizu (63rd) and Ros Muharam Wahab (90th) netted for Terengganu City in the 2-0 win over Kuching FA.
Ahmad Yusof’s Sime Darby defeated Selangor Malays 2-0 courtesy of goals by Dzulfahmi Abdul Hadi (53rd) and Faizal Aziz (63rd).
UKM’s Hasrul Nurkholis Hasim and MOF’s Aikal Aiman are the joint top scorers in the FAM Cup with six goals each.
FIXTURES
SUNDAY
*All matches at 4.45pm unless stated otherwise
Group A
KL City Hall v MOF (UM Stadium; 8.45pm)
Shahzan Muda v MPKB-BRI-UBES (Temerloh Stadium; 8.45pm)
Hanelang v KDMM (Kuala Berang Field)
UKM v Felcra (UKM Stadium)
Group B
Selangor Malays v Sime Darby (Melawati Stadium, Kuala Selangor)
Kuching FA v Terengganu City (State Stadium; 4.15pm)
PJ Rangers v Prisons (MBPJ Stadium).