Malaysia Cup : Favourable draw for defending champions JDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 -- Defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) are not expected to face much problems to advance to the knockout stage of the Malaysia Cup 2021 as they are drawn in Group D alongside Petaling Jaya (PJ City) FC. and Sabah FC.

According to the draw streamed live on the Malaysian Football League (MFL) Facebook today, also in group D will be the team that finishes in fourth place in the Premier League (excluding feeder clubs) when the second tier competition ends next week.

Meanwhile, Group B can be considered the "Group of Death" as it has 2001 champions Terengganu FC, 33-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor FC, eight-time champions Perak FC and the team that will clinch third place in the Premier League.

Group A is also no less challenging with the dark horses of this season's Super League and four-time champions Penang FC drawn in it along with three-time champions Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC, four-time champions Sri Pahang FC and the team that will emerge runners-up in the Premier League. Penang FC finished in third place in this seasons Super League

Group C consists of five-time champions Kedah Darul Aman (KDA) FC, Melaka United, the team that will win the Premier League and the team that finishes in fifth place in the second tier League.

According to the competition rules, the 'feeder' teams' in the Premier League are not allowed to play in the Malaysia Cup, which is scheduled to start on Sept 23.

According to the MFL, the Malaysia Cup, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, will follow the original format where each team will play home and away matches in the group stage, quarter-finals and semi-finals, while the final only involves one match.

   The Malaysia Cup 2020 was cancelled by the MFL after the National Security Council (MKN) did not allow its organisation during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to control spread of the COVID-19 virus last year.

-- BERNAMA