Malaysian Super League comes to a close this weekend when three matches are played on Saturday and three more on Sunday – making way for the Malaysia Cup competition – the oldest football competition in the country.
Saturday will see Johor Darul Takzim, crowned the Malaysian Super League champions for a record fifth successive year, taking on Kuala Lumpur at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru, relegated Negri Sembilan at home to Melaka United and PKNS FC entertaining Perak at the Shah Alam Stadium.
On Sunday, Kedah will face PKNP (Perak SEDC) at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar, relegated Kelantan will host FA Cup champions Pahang in Kota Bahru while the Shah Alam Stadium will witness the return of Selangor to their “home” at Shah Alam for the match against Terengganu.
Down south the JDT-K. Lumpur match is drawing much focus . Dubbed the “revenge match” the Southern Tigers want to win this match badly at home after K. Lumpur inflicted a painful 1-0 defeat in the first round at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras.
That was the only defeat for JDT in this year’s Super League campaign. JDT coach Raul Longhi will be fielding his strongest side for the match against the City Boys to garner three points and take their tally to 59 points.
Terengganu coach Irfan Bakti will be without his three key players but still believes that he has enough depth on the bench to replace the suspended Lee Tuck and French-born Cambodian Thierry Chantha Bin in the engine room.
Irfan also has to make do without his injured striker Malik Mat Ariff who is kayoed by a rib injury.
“Whoever is fielded in the first team will have the chance to prove his worth in the team. You will never know when an untested player in a big match can turn hero,” said Irfan from Kuala Terengganu.
The Malaysia Cup competition kicks off on Aug 4.
Terengganu is battling for a top two place in the Super League. In the FA Cup, the Turtles could only reach the third round this year after making the semi-finals last year.
In the Malaysia Cup, the East Coast giants failed to go beyond the group stage in 2015, 2016 and 2017. RIZAL ABDULLAH
