KUALA LUMPUR – Terengganu FC head coach Mohd Nafuzi Mohd Zain is aware their meeting with Selangor FC at the Malaysia Cup semi-finals will not be a walk in the park.
The Turtles coach said since their last meeting with Selangor in the Malaysia Cup semi-finals back in 2011, things are now different under the guidance of the Red Giants’ new coach Tan Cheng Hoe, who led the Harimau Malaya from 2018 to this year.
Their last meeting in the tournament saw Terengganu record a 4-1 aggregate win.
“This time, the Malaysia Cup semi-finals will not be the same.
“We know that Selangor has been under the guidance of Tan, and we can see the positive changes that he has brought.
“It will not be an easy match… Plus, Selangor have not lost so far in the competition. This means we will need to be fully prepared when the match heads to the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu,” he told reporters when met after the team’s training session.
Terengganu, who finished second in this season’s Super League, took down Malaysia Cup defending champions KL City FC 4-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals.
Nafuzi, who recently turned down an offer from the club to extend his contract, added that the squad is fit and ready for action.
“Everyone is in good condition. Our goalkeeper, Suhaimi Husin, is also fit to play, but I will decide if either Suhaimi or Rahadiazli Rahalim will start the match.
“This is the problem when you have a selection of quality players. It is not easy to pick who will start for the team,” Nafuzi added.
Terengganu, who finished second in this season’s Super League, took down Malaysia Cup defending champions KL City FC 4-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Selangor defeated Negri Sembilan with a 4-2 aggregate score to advance into the semi-finals.
The Red Giants will be looking to add another Malaysia Cup win on top of the 33 that they already have, being the most successful club in the cup’s history.
The first leg of the semi-finals is set to kick-off at 9pm. – The Vibes, November 16, 2022
