The thumping 5-1 win over Kuala Lumpur in their opening Group A match in the Malaysia Cup competition is history for Terengganu says head coach Irfan Bakti.
Come Saturday the Turtles face a much tougher hurdle also away when they take on Perak at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh. Perak was held to a scoreless draw by Malaysia Cup newcomers Felcra at the same venue last Saturday.
For Irfan and company, it is another journey when the team takes a flight to Ipoh from Kuala Terengganu on Friday morning – knowing that both Perak and Terengganu finished on equal footing in the Super League.
Perak snatched a 3-2 win over the Turtles in Ipoh but slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Kuala Terengganu.
“One thing is clear, we are highly motivated after the big win over KL. But it stops that. That win is history,” said Irfan from Kuala Terengganu.
“I have been telling my players not to be carried away with the win over KL. We have to be fully prepared to face Perak. a team that is rather wounded after failing to collect full points against Felcra.
“Terengganu must be ready to face the brunt and go for a win. Let us ride on our confidence to face Perak in Ipoh. It will be a tough match for the team but it is not impossible to beat Perak in their own den,” added Irfan.
Irfan’s trump card is once again his scoring machine Kipre Tchetche. The Ivory Coast hitman scored a hat-trick against KL. He was the second highest scorer in the Super League with 14 goals after Selangor’s Spaniard striker Rufino Segovia’s 19.
“We cannot afford to waste chances we create,” added Irfan, a shrewd tactician, and a no-nonsense coach. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
