KUANTAN: With Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) having already won the Super League crown, the fight is now focused on the runners-up spot with Perak, Pahang, Kedah, Terengganu and PKNS all still in the running with three rounds left to play.
Champions JDT will play in next season’s AFC Champions League while the runners-up will qualify for the tournament’s qualifying round.
Pahang manager Datuk Mohd Suffian Awang hopes his side will collect maximum points from their three remaining league matches.
The east coast side travel to Hang Jebat Stadium to face Melaka on Wednesday.
Their remaining matches are against PKNS on Saturday and Kelantan on July 29.
“All five teams are in the running for the second spot, so we need to win all our matches and hope other teams will drop points,” said Suffian.
“We need to start winning again after back-to-back draw.”
Mehmet Durakovic’s Perak are second with 32 points, two more than third-place Pahang.
On Wednesday’s match, Suffian said Melaka are dangerous in their own backyard.
“Melaka’s record at home is superb. They will likely come out with their guns blazing tomorrow, so we need to be cautious,” he added.
E. Elavarasan’s Melaka are seventh with 24 points and they are unlikely to finish top three this season.
Pahang coach Dollah Salleh, however, will have to reshuffle as his regular defenders Muslim Ahmad and Faisal Rosli are injured.