Perak FA skipper Nasir Basharuddin thinks there’s no reason to be worried about the Malaysia Cup draw despite them being paired in a difficult group, which includes Johor DT.
The Southern Tigers are the highest seeded team in Group C, alongside PDRM, Perak as well as Selangor PKNS. Off the cuff, it does appear to be a difficult group, considering it contains both FA Cup finalists in it.
However, Nasir has urged the Perak fans to remain positive, claiming that the ‘sense of familiarity’ would allow them to be a lot more prepared for the group stage action.
“I think it’s a fair draw for us. They’re all Super League teams, so we’ve played them this year, including JDT. We know how they play and we know what it takes to beat them,” he told FourthOfficial.com
“Selangor PKNS are a Premier League team, yes. But we played them twice in the FA Cup, so we’re familiar with them. I’d rather take this group, than a group with Premier League teams that we’ve never faced before. It’s difficult to prepare, when that happens.
The Seladangs have had a topsy-turvy season thus far and while they were semi-finalists in the FA Cup, Perak have struggled to stamp their authority in the Super League. Fans have largely blamed head coach Syamsul Saad, but Nasir provided an alternate explanation to their issues.
“It’s not like we’re a horrible team. At some points, you’ve seen us do well. But the squad has faced so much of injury-related problems and that has hampered our ability to do well in certain games,” Nasir, who is also recovering from an injury, explained.
“So hopefully the break will allow us to rest, regroup and be fresh for the Malaysia Cup, when it gets underway,” he added.
Malaysia Cup action will kick-off earlier than usual this year, and it’s slated to run simultaneously with the second half of the Malaysia Super League.
FULL MALAYSIA CUP DRAW
Group A: T-Team, Kedah, Sarawak, Johor DT II
Group B: Selangor, Kelantan, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur
Group C: Johor DT, PDRM, Perak, Selangor PKNS
Group D: FELDA United, Terengganu, Malacca, Negri Sembilan
Other posts by Keeshaanan Sundaresan
