THE cast at this Tuesday’s first-leg FA Cup quarterfinal between Super League’s Pahang and Premier League’s Police will have an interesting character – Dollah Salleh.
The former international, who is still recovering from heart surgery to insert a stent, was Pahang’s coach from 2009-2013, and took the Elephants to the Malaysia Cup title in November last year.
Three months on, Dollah is now the Police coach and his new team are sitting pretty on top of the league with an unbeaten record and maximum points – winning all three matches so far.
Last night, Police snatched a 1-0 win over winless Sabah at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi, Seremban. In the first two matches, Police beat Darul Takzim II 3-1 and whipped Penang 5-1.
In the FA Cup, Police beat Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP FC) 2-0 in the second round after a 1-0 win over KL SPA in the previous round.
“Let’s be fair and realistic…we are not a big league team in the same class as Pahang, Selangor, Kelantan or Johor. We are a rookie team yet to mature and lacking in experience playing at higher level,” Dollah told sports247.my.
“If we are on the top of the league and in the FA Cup quarterfinals, I would say we have been lucky in all aspects. Pahang will start as strong favourites to advance to the (FA Cup) semifinals.”
“My team are currently carrying a bagful of injuries. I will need to see how we recover before I can pick my FA Cup team.”
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