Kelantan Need Carillo To Be Fit Again For FA Cup Tie

20 April, 2015



GEORGE TOWN: Kelantan are keeping their fingers crossed that Colombian forward Erwin Carrillo will be fit for Tuesday’s FA Cup quarter-final second-leg match against Sime Darby FC at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium.

With the first leg on April 7 tied at 1-1, the Red Warriors are looking for an inspirational figure to steer them through to the semi-finals. And Kelantan coach Mohd Azraai Khor believes that Carrillo’s presence will make a difference in Kota Baru.

Carrillo is still nursing a calf injury sustained during the 2-0 Super League loss to Pahang on April 11. He missed last Saturday’s 3-1 away loss to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and is racing against time to be fit for the match.

“Carrillo is a vital player, and having him on the pitch will boost our chances of qualifying for the semis. He only played one full match for me, during the 1-1 first-leg draw (against Sime Darby) but has done enough to show he can lift the team. We will check his injury before the match and decide if he can play,” said Azraai.

“Carrillo’s presence will also help our two new foreign signings (Brazilian Gilmar Filho and Nigerian Austin Amutu) to settle down. Both players did all right doing their debut against JDT, but need time and support to forge a better understanding with their new team-mates.”

Azraai is still seeking his first victory since taking charge of the Red Warriors at the beginning of April. The defeat to JDT saw Kelantan slip to 10th in the 12-team league table.

The east coast outfit have now lost four league matches on the trot, and the FA Cup offers them a chance to turn around their season.

The only consolation for Kelantan is that Sime Darby are also in the same boat, having lost 1-4 to Police in the league last Saturday. The club side are still without a league win after eight matches and are bottom of the standings.

“We cannot under-estimate Sime Darby despite their poor league run. In a knockout competition, any team is dangerous.

“The match against Sime Darby is a good chance for us to set things right after our dismal run of results.

“The players must make full use of the homeground advantage to book a place in the last four. I hope my players can raise their game and show their true potential. The FA Cup offers us a wonderful chance to bag a silverware this year and we must not let it slip away,” said Azraai.

Sumber - Loganath Velloo, Star Online www.thestar.com.my