* ‘Let’s end our Ramadan campaign on a winning note’ – Zainal
* Zainal warns his team not to underrate Sarawak
Leaders Pahang have been counting their Ramadan blessings so far during the fasting month which have kept the Elephants at the top of the 12-team Super League.
And chief coach Zainal Abidin Hassan wants his team Ramadan month campaign with a big bang when they face Sarawak at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on Wednesday before the league takes another break – this time for three weeks.
But Zainal has butterflies in his stomach facing Sarawak after the East Malaysian state suffered back to back defeats to Felda United at home and to Terengganu away.
“We just cannot take Sarawak for granted and let us not allow the Crocs to spoil the show for us. Hard work, discipline and commitment has seen Pahang come through a testing time during the fasting month.
“The Ramadan blessings has have seen come through unbeaten against defending champions JDT (1-1) and strong contenders Selangor (3-1). It has boosted our confidence and let us ride on this to face Sarawak,” said Zainal from Kuantan.
The 3-1 win over Selangor at Shah Alam on Saturday was a surprise in many ways after the Red Giants took an early lead through Robert Cornthwaite before second half goals by Zesh Rehman, Matias Conti and Hafiz Kamal stunned Selangor.
While Zainal prepares his team for the Sarawak match, Perak are in Singapore to face FA Cup champions Lions XII who roared to a 3-0 win over Kelantan at the Jalan Besar Stadium in their last match.
The Lions will be a handful for Perak. Kelantan found it the hard way and Perak will have to be at their best after struggling against relegation threatened Armed Forces for a 2-1 win at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh in their last match.
The win saw Perak creep into third place in the league with 27 points – three behind leaders Pahang (30) and one behind second-placed and defending champions Johor Darul Takzim (28 points).
