Kelantan Banking On Home Record For FA Cup Tie

15 Mei, 2015



PETALING JAYA: Kelantan have a feared reputation of being the “comeback kings” in Kota Baru.

Many teams travelling to the Red Warriors’ fortress – the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium – have returned home with disappointment etched all over their faces.

So, is that the fate awaiting FA Cup defending champions Pahang in the semi-final, return-leg match today?

Pahang take a slender 1-0 lead into the match and Kelantan defender Amiridzwan Taj Tajuddin expects the Elephants to suffer the same fate as the other teams.

“Trust me, it’s always harder to play in Kota Baru. I suffered heartbreak at this ground with my former team (Armed Forces) when we lost our Malaysia Cup final ticket in 2013,” said the 29-year-old centreback who joined Kelantan last month.

“We won’t just roll over and let Pahang advance to the final. The tie is still wide open ... we are just a goal behind.

“If we stay focused and convert our chances, I’m sure we can upset Pahang and make the final.”

Amiridzwan also pointed to the fanatical home support as another major factor that could tilt the tie their way.

“Kelantan are a different side when we play in front of our home fans ... especially in big matches like this,” he said.

The Red Warriors’ most spectacular comeback story on home ground came in the 2013 Malaysia Cup quarter-final, return-leg tie when they trounced Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) 6-1 in Kota Baru to overturn the 4-2 loss in the first leg.

Amiridzwan, who is returning to competitive football after recovering from a career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last year, said that he and his team-mates can’t wait to make amends for the first-leg loss in Kuantan last Saturday.

“We conceded an early goal last week because we weren’t focused ... but I think we did well after that. We managed to keep Pahang striker Dickson Nwakaeme quiet ...,” he said.

Sumber - K. Rajan, Star Online www.thestar.com.my