DEFENDING champions Kelantan arrived in Kuala Lumpur without their Liberian international Francis Forkey Doe for todayâs second leg FA Cup quarterfinal match against PKNS FC.
To make things worse for The Red Warriors (TRW), Egyptian stalwart Mohamed Shawky is also a non-starter at the Selayang Stadium. Kelantan have a one-goal cushion from the 3-2 win in last weekâs first leg played in Kota Baru.
According to coach Steve Darby, both the players are carrying hamstring injuries.
âWe left Doe at home on doctorâs advise but we have brought Shawky along for some reasons,â Darby told sports247.my.
This means Kelantan will have only two foreigners in their side â Lebanese striker Mohamed Ghaddar and former Nigerian international, defender Obinna Nwaneri.
The Englishman believes Doeâs absence has only motivated his side to do well against PKNS, who will welcome the returning Patrick Wleh to join forces with Karlo Primorac for the do-or-die battle.
Both sides have met twice so far, with each winning once. PKNS stunned Kelantan 2-1 in a come-from-behind win in a league match in Kota Baru on Jan 28 before the east coast giantsâ triumph last week.
While Kelantan seem to have found their rhythm after a shaky start to the season – winning their last league match against T-Team 3-0 – PKNS have shown inconsistency and struggled to hold club side Sime Darby to a scoreless draw on Friday.
âI have faith in the players who will be in my team. They have picked up steam and have been giving 100 percent and it will be no different tomorrow (today),â Darby concluded confidently.
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