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TURTLEZ TO FACE NEWCOMER CHALLENGE

Terengganu players had to pack their bags for their third successive away match in the Super League. This time the Turtles’ destination is the Klang Valley where they will face early season leaders, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). Having won their last three matches, including away wins at Perlis and Pahang, Terengganu would be eager to continue their form in order to consolidate their place at the top of the league.

Coach Yunus Alif may not able to field Brazilian midfielder, Jocian Bento Dos Anjos who is a few days away from full recovery from the injury he sustained during the match against Perlis. However, he will have Dos Anjos’ compatriot Gleisson Freire back from suspension to lead the line at the Selayang Stadium. Both were missing from the match in Kuantan on new year’s day.

Failure to get maximum points from the match would probably see other teams snatching the lead from Terengganu. Northern teams Kedah and Perlis are certainly eager to lead the table again. The Canaries are entertaining bottom of the table UPB-MyTeam at the Darul Aman Stadium while Perlis will host last week conqueror of Kedah; Brunie DPMM in Kangar. Selangor and NS Naza are travelling to Pahang and Sarawak respectively.

PDRM’s have not been able to sustain their good start to the season. They won their two opening matches against Sarawak and Penang but have lost the last three against Kedah, Perlis and Pahang. Terengganu will be looking forward to register their fifth win of the season to ensure the place at the top would be retained.

Terengganu will certainly pin their hope on midfielder Zairo Anwar Zailani, whose recent run of goals saw him becoming the team topscorer with five goals. In the absence of Dos Anjos, Zairo’s role will be pivotal in creating chances for the frontline led by Gleisson. It is remained to be seen whether coach Yunus will go with Mohd Norfarhan Mohamad or Mohd Saufi Ibrahim.

The former began the last match against Pahang on the right side of midfield but moved to the front as in-effective striker Abdul Manaf Mamat was replaced with Rosairil Asrul. The substitute created havoc on the right side of the midfield with one of his crosses leading to the foul on Mohd Saufi which resulted in the penalty converted by Zairo. It is certainly a head-ache for Coach Yunus, but a good one to have.

With the home side low on confidence and morale, Terengganu should be able to take home all three points but last season Premier League champions certainly would not allow Terengganu to walk all over them. The addition of Singaporean Mohd Noh Alam Shah would certainly boost their confidence for the match. Noh Alam Shah made the switch to the Malaysian Super League after being banned by the Singapore FA for a year due to violent conduct during the Singapore Cup final match.

The former Tampines Rovers striker, who has a good all-around game would pose the biggest threat to the Terengganu defence. He has pace and good in the air with an equally good strength in addition to a good instinct for goals. Terengganu skipper Mohd Marzuki Yusof and his partner Fabio Flor would have his hand full against the Singaporean should he be included in the line-up tomorrow.

One thing for sure is for Terengganu players to give their best and to ensure complacency would not creep into their game which could cost them dear. The late goal conceded in Kuantan should remind them the match is not over until the man in the middle blows his final whistle, and until then everybody must be on their toes.

C’mon Ganu!