KEDAH coach Aidil Sharin Sahak has expressed sympathy for his opponents who are giving him "six free Malaysia Cup points."
Negri Sembilan withdrew from the Malaysia Cup on Friday after 20 players and four officials tested positive for Covid-19.
This has resulted in the Deer giving walkovers to Kedah for their matches on Oct 29 and Nov 2.
Aidil said he empathised with Premier League champions Negri who have "lost" almost their entire team for the Malaysia Cup competition.
For the Kedah coach, it was a traumatic time when the Northern side faced a Covid scare three months earlier. Two Kedah players tested positive for Covid-19. As a result, their Super League match against Penang at Darulaman Stadium was postponed.
"I feel sorry for the (Negri) club, players and officials for their last minute withdraw due to Covid-19.
"It could happen to any of us since we don't know when or how to avoid the virus," said Aidil.
Though Kedah will get six points without kicking a ball against Negri, Aidil does not see this as an advantage.
He pointed out that Melaka, their group rival, had already beaten Negri (2-0), and they will also get three walkover points against Negri (Nov 6).
"So, this is quite even. There's no advantage for us."
Recalling the Covid scare in their team, Aidil said: "It was not easy in the first three days. Most of our players were stressed out in their rooms during the quarantine.
"It's much different compared to an expected quarantine like returning from overseas. The body and mind is affected."
"We were frustrated. We were supposed to play Penang the next day but we received the news at 9pm to pack our bags and go to a hotel (the next day). It was very stressful."
Aidil said following their 14-day quarantine, the result was obvious: Kedah lost 4-2 to Selangor on Aug 13.
Following Negri's withdrawal, Kedah will be without games until Nov 6 (against Kelantan). To keep up the momentum, Aidil plans to arrange another friendly match.
During the one-month M-League break, Kedah played three friendly matches (lost 2-0 to the national Under-22 team, drew 0-0 with FAM-NSC Project Squad, and drew 2-2 with Perak.