SHAH ALAM, July 30 (Bernama) -- Premier League club UiTM FC do not want to be seen as a mere complement to the fixture but are determined to give their strongest challenge to the other three teams in Group B of the Malaysia Cup competition, which kicks off on Friday.
UiTM FC head coach Ismail Zakaria said although his team compete in the Premier League, he believes his players could give the three Super League teams, namely Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), PKNP FC and Petaling Jaya City FC (PJ City FC), a run for their money.
"I am confident that if my players can play with discipline and follow the instructions given, we will be able to compete with these two teams (PKNP FC and PJ City FC).
"As for JDT, we can consider them as the top seed to be the group's champion based on their success in defending the Super League trophy for the sixth time in a row," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
On the Lion Troops’ preparation, Ismail said it went well although some players were down with injuries.
The former Kuantan FA and Sime Darby FA coach said midfielder Mohd Nazrin Shamsul Bahri broke his right leg while on holiday in his hometown recently and will miss the Malaysia Cup as he would need about three months to recover.
Another player, Montenegro striker Zarco Korac, has just started training after recovering from a head injury sustained in their last Premier League match against Negeri Sembilan on July 20.
Commenting on their opening match against JDT this Friday, Ismail said he is not putting high hopes but believes that his players could give their best and play with discipline.
"We do not want to put pressure on these young players. It is important that they use this match to measure their ability and learn to become a better player.
"If we manage to get a draw, it is good enough because it is not easy to beat JDT on their home turf and they have very high quality players," Ismail said.
UiTM FC will be making their second appearance in the Malaysia Cup after failing to get past the group stage in the 2017 edition.
-- BERNAMA
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