# Turtles to work on the weakness in Cambodia
# Terengganu FC I will also play in a quadrangular in January
Terengganu – rebranded as Terengganu FC I – back in the elite Super League in 2018 after gaining promotion from the lower tier Premier League in 2017 – are aware of the tough journey that awaits them in the new season.
However, the Turtles are leaving no stones unturned under coach Irfan Bakti – no newcomer to Terengganu football – with a hectic schedule in January.
“There are several shortcomings that need to be ironed out due to the movement of players for the new season,” said Irfan when commenting in his team’s 2-0 win over Terengganu FC II (formerly known as T-Team).
Terengganu FC II self-imposed relegation to the Premier League and will serve as the feeder squad to Terengganu FC I. T-Team finished ninth in the 12-team Super League in 2017.
Irfan will look towards his team’s three-match playing tour of Cambodia from Jan 10-15 where the Turtles will play against Division One teams.
On their return to Kuala Terengganu the Turtles will play a four-team quadrangular involving Pahang, Malacca United, Terengganu FC I and Terengganu FC II. The quadrangular will be held in Kuala Terengganu from Jan 20-25. At stake is the Mentri Besar Cup.
“The friendly matches in Cambodia and the quadrangular will be enough to sort out the shortcomings. I am confident the team will gel to throw in our challenge in the Super League in the new season,” added Irfan.
In the friendly against Terengganu FC II played on Saturday the Super League outfit carved the win through goals by Ivory Coast striker Tchetche Kipre (penalty) while the second goal was netted by former Terengganu FC II player Hasnizaidi Jamian.
Irfan has set a high top-three target in the Super League and to win at least one of the two Cups (Malaysia Cup and the FA Cup) – which he believes is within reach of the Turtles.
Terengganu, despite playing in the Premier League in 2017 did well to reach the FA Cup semi-finals before bowing out to eventual champions Kedah. In the Malaysia Cup the East Coast side failed to go beyond the group stage.
Following the recent re-branding of football teams in the state the state team is known as Terengganu FC I, while T-Team is known as Terengganu FC II. The President’s Cup (Under-21) team is known as Terengganu FC III, the Youth Cup team is named Terengganu FC IV and the Ministry of Education Cup team (Under-17) is known as Terengganu FC V. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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