A sense of deja vu surrounds Felda United FC as their Malaysia Cup journey will once again be decided on their last group match — against Selangor at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka.
In retrospect, on July 21, Felda United had defied the odds to upset FA Cup champions Kedah 5-1 in the final fixture of the Super League at Jengka to escape relegation.
And their fans hope Felda will do something familiar today against 33-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor.
Nothing less than victory against Selangor will see Felda through to the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals. Last year, Felda aka the Fighters, fought their way to the quarter-finals before losing to Terengganu.
Midfielder S. Chanturu, who scored the winner against Police on Saturday to keep Felda’s hopes alive, said his team have the experience playing in such an intense fixture.
The 31-year-old former Melaka player said initially many people did not see Felda United as a threat in Group D following their escape from relegation in the Super League.
“Initially Selangor and Melaka were the favourites in the group but we are determined to prove the critics wrong.
“We have experienced similar situations in the Super League. Now we want that win against Selangor to take us into the quarterfinal.
“We had a a 2-2 draw against Selangor on the opening day of the Super League at Shah Alam but the match in Jengka will be very much different.”
Felda United coach Nidzam Jamil said his men had played “crunch matches”, and he hopes they will repeat the strong performance displayed against Kedah (in their final Super League match where they won 5-1).
Felda United, Selangor and Melaka United are tied with seven points in Gorup D while Police have five points.