Saturday’s East Coast derby between Pahang and Terengganu is the main drawcard in this Saturday’s Super League biggie at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan.
The return of Nigerian hitman Dickson Nwakaeme has added more firepower to the Pahang artillery and this was seen in their impressive 3-1 win over Kuala Lumpur in Cheras in their opening match last week.
Nwakaeme signaled his return to the Malaysian League with a brace – showing that he has not lost his scoring touch and head coach Dollah Salleh is signing a happy tune that Nwakaeme is probably the answer to Pahang’s perennial woes – lack of firepower up front.
However, Terengganu, who could only manage a 1-1 draw against PKNS FC with a late equalizer, are ready to spoil things for the Elephants in their first home match.
Terengganu head coach Irfan Bakti is not looking too much into Pahang’s win over the City Boys, but in the same breath admits that “Dickson has added more firepower” to the team.
“Dickson has already proven his worth before and he showed it against KL last week…but we have a plan for him and Pahang,” said Irfan from Kuala Terengganu on Thursday.
“We had a poor start to our campaign this season. It was a similar situation for us last year. If you look at our record last year we played better away compared to our home matches.”
Terengganu’s last visit to Kuantan was a 1-0 win for the Turtles and Irfan is confident that his team can do it against the Elephants.
“I must admit that Pahang is a better all-around team this season and has strength is every department but it stops at that. You must find ways and means to beat your opponents,” added Irfan who is expected to retain goalkeeper Wan Azraie Wan for the match.
“We have plans to douse Pahang’s firepower. You must know how to shackle Dickson and cripple Pahang.”
Wan Azraie played for Pahang last year and helped the Elephants win the FA Cup.
Terengganu will also welcome the return of English-born playmaker Lee Tuck for the Pahang match. Lee Tuck did not play against PKNS to serve a one-match suspension for a red card against Perak in last year’s Malaysia Cup final. RIZAL ABDULLAH
