# Perak will be a tough nut – says Elavarasan
By Rizal Abdullah
It is another afternoon match for PKNS FC when they face unbeaten Perak at the Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday – match which comes in the wake of a thrilling 5-3 win over Selangor at the same venue last week.
It was the first win for PKNS after 1-0 and 3-1 defeats to Felda United and Kelantan and the newly promoted Selangor club showed that they will be a tough side to beat when in form.
However, PKNS FC coach E. Elavarasan is aware that Perak will be a “tough nut to crack” under wily German coach Karl Heinz Weigang – a former national coach of Malaysia with vast experience in the M-League.
“It will be yet another toughie for us. Our big win over Selangor does not make us favourites for the match against Perak. We are the underdogs but we will take the fight to Perak,” said Elavarasan.
“Weigang has a strong team. He is a shrewd tactician. He knows the game well and the strategies to win matches. They (Perak) are at the top and are unbeaten after three matches while we lost two and won one.”
Elavarasan, however, said the two defeats – to Felda (0-1) and Kelantan (1-3) – in the first two matches only made his players work harder and get the rhythm. This was reflected in the match against Selangor.
In the match against Selangor the Red Ants showed “discipline and character” on the field for the desired result.
“If we can show the same discipline against Perak and make use of the chances that we create there is no reason why we cannot keep the winning momentum,” added Elavarasan.
In the same breath Elavarasan has reminded his players not to get carried away with the win over Selangor as Perak are equally motivated to be at unbeaten after a 1-1 draw against co-leaders Pahang (who are on top with a a better goal difference) with seven after a 1-0 win over Penang (away) and 3-2 over Malacca United (home).
Liberian international Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh (who donned Selangor colours last season on loan), hammered a hattrick against the Red Giants while Safee Sali and Matias Jadue scored one each.
Meanwhile, Pahang head coach Dollah Salleh reminded his players to be on their toes for their tough away match against Malaysia Cup champions Kedah. In their last away match Pahang beat Sarawak 1-0 in Kuching.
“The scoreline is not important…what is important are the three points. We need to keep the winning mentality. It is tough playing Kedah and more so when we are playing away,” said Dollah from Kuantan.
