Steve Darby has faith in his men despite the injuries to his foreign players for the match against Yangon United.
JUST when things seem to be going smooth for Kelantan, Steve Darby’s match plans for the opening Group G match against Myanmar’s Yangon United has been thrown into disarray – thanks to his lengthy crock list.
Out of the trip are three of his four foreigners –Francis Forkey Doe (hamstring), Mohamad Ghaddar and Egyptian stalwart Mohamed Shawky Yazid.
Doe was not in the team from the start but Ghaddar and Shawky suffered a recurrence of their respective injuries during training in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The Red Wariors leave for Yangon this evening.
“I am not losing any sleep over the absence of my foreign players. The show will go on. It could be a blessing in disguise for Kelantan,” Darby told Sports247.my.
“This is the time for the locals to prove their worth and show their football skills in an international match. And I have confidence in the local players… they are capable of holding their own against any team.
“Shakir (Ali), Fakri (Saarani), Farisham (Ismail), Tuan (Muhammad Faim) are improving with each game.”
Darby, however, admitted that his team will be venturing into “unknown territory” in Yangon, but are ready for the challenge.
Besides Yangon, Kelantan have XM Vissai Ninh Binh (Vietnam) and Hong Kong’s South China for company in Group G in the AFC Cup.
