# Kosova playmaker suspended for return match at Larkin
# Defender Azmeer Yusof also out through suspension
# Kedah and JDT cross paths again in the league also in Alor Setar on Saturday
By Rizal Abdullah
Kedah’s 2-1 win over Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) in the first-leg FA Cup semi-final match in Alor Setar on Saturday came with a heavy price.
For the return-leg at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru on April the Red Eagles will feel the brunt of the wounded Southern Tigers who are chasing all titles this season – the Super League, the elusive FA Cup and the prestigious Malaysia Cup.
JDT have already won the Charity Shield and are also the reigning AFC Cup champions.
The Red Eagles, became the first team to defeat JDT this year but coach Tan Cheng Hoe is aware of the tough battle his team faces at the Larkin Stadium.
What is in store at the Larkin Stadium leaves a big question mark as the Red Eagles have two big hurdles to clear in the league – an away match against fast improving T-Team (Terengganu FC II) on Wednesday followed by a home match against JDT this Saturday.
Cheng Hoe and company hope to ride on the momentum of the FA Cup win over JDT for the league matches against T-Team and JDT.
“The schedule is really tight and I need all the best players to keep our challenge in the league as well as the FA Cup. Liridon’s and Azmeer’s yellow cards in the FA Cup is something we could have avoided.
“Liridon’s yellow is uncalled for…he got booked for arguing with the referee. He should learn to keep his cool. Liridon is an asset to the team and we need him for his high work-rate and football skills,” said Cheng Hoe.
Cheng Hoe is glad that Krisniqi and Azmeer will be available for the league encounters.
The “return” clash against JDT at the Darulaman Stadium is much awaited by both teams as the Red Eagles would want to show that that their 2-1 win in the FA Cup is no flash in the pan.
Cheng Hoe was a pleased man after the FA victory because his players showed their “discipline, focus and commitment” to carve out the win against the star-studded Southern Tigers.
“The players did what they were told. They did not fear playing the big names and interestingly my younger local players matched them in every department. This is very heartening,” added Cheng Hoe.
In the FA Cup the Red Eagles scored through Farhan Roslan and Sandro da Silva Mendonca while JDT scored through Juan Martin Lucero.
