SELANGOR coach B. Satiananthan doesn't want his men to travel to Johor Baru today with a defeatist attitude.
Though it's a really bad time for a weakened Selangor to play super strong Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Satiananthan feels it doesn't mean the Red Giants should just 'lie down and die'.
Selangor, sixth in the table, will have to manage without three key players: midfielders Brendan Gan and Syazwan Zainon and goalkeeper Khairulazhan Khalid.
Syazwan is injured while Brendan is serving a red card suspension. Khairulazhan is getting married.
It doesn't help for Selangor to know that they are in the same boat as Perak, depleted by injuries, were thrashed 7-0 by JDT two week ago at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Despite their dire situation, Satiananthan wants his men to show true grit, no matter how steely JDT are.
"Those who are chosen to replace the three players will have to stand out. If they want to be taken seriously, they need to push themselves. Now is the best test for them."
Satiananthan, who is the Malaysian Football Coaches Association president, said Selangor must avoid a mauling by the Southern Tigers and not end up like poor Perak.
"We should not let something like this happen, we have to take care of our image.
"Obviously, we will not play an open game against JDT. No coach in the world would be crazy enough to play openly (in this situation).
"We are up against an experienced side, six-time (Super League) champions and those who cannot recognise this is stupid.
"Selangor have history (a rich football tradition) but that's all. We need to catch up with others.
"We are going to play on a fantastic field (at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium), and it isn't everyday you get to play on a field like this in Malaysia along with other fantastic facilities.
"Soak it all in because it's a pleasure to be in this type of environment and the players should just enjoy the moment," said Satiananthan.
Should Selangor somehow beat JDT today, they will enjoy it even more.