Perak sealed the deal when they qualified for the quarter finals for the Malaysia Cup and they have nailed the group stages with a game to spare. What a campaign for Norizan Bakar's team!
Perak were expected to qualify from group A though having to face the likes of Kedah and Johor. However, they were set on qualifying and even without the 5 suspended players, they have proved their doubters wrong.
Last Saturday's game against Johor, Perak needed just a draw just to qualify from the group stages. However, they were hellbent on winning and they didn't disappoint the travelling crowd who came all the way from Ipoh(I was invited to join them on board, but was busy with PM's assignment, haihhh)
As a Perakian, I'm proud with what they have achieved. Having lost three key players through suspension, the other players under Norizan's squad have taken their task pretty well. Akmal Rizal Rakhli, who played in the first game of the group stages, showed his delight through his social networking portal, Facebook.
Kedah and Sabah are now slogging out for the other spot and Kedah certainly has been a disappointment in the group stages though having the likes of Baddrol Bakhtiar and Khyril Muhymeen in their squad. Sabah have been a steadied themselves in the Malaysia Cup and they also need a win against Johor.
As for Perak, they don't need to go all out against Kedah at Alor Setar but as a fan, victory is must for the Seladangs!
Basically, Perak's success has been the players and the management who have done a great job to revive the golden days of Perak. Three years ago, we were in the doldrums as we faced financial problems and lack of credible players.
Now, things have changed and the Malaysia Cup campaign proved it all. In the Super League, they did their best but the other teams just had the better players and they were only able to finish in 6th place.
Perak's qualification to the quarter finals should be attributed to the players determination and commitment. They were unpertubed by the suspensions of Akmal, Shahrulnizam, Syazwan, Nasril and Azmeer and they just kept on going!
The two loan players, Failee Ghazali and Rafiuddin Roddin have been a marvel to watch and they have helped Perak to qualify for the quarter finals. Failee is the top scorer for Perak in The Malaysia Cup with 4 goals whereas Rafiuddin has impressed with his workrate and abilities from set pieces.
According to Khairul Azwan, both players have been offered contracts to remain with the Seladangs next season. They should be ratained as they can boost the options for Norizan and with the 5 players returning, things are going to get better for the team.
Perak's defense has been immense though they are lapses of concentration showed by the defenders. Khairi Zainuddin and Hishamuddin Shaari have been the pillars for the defense and their presence has been crucial for Perak.
Khairi efforst were rewarded as he has been given the Captain's armband for the 5 games he has played and he is one defender which I hold high regards. At the age of 33, younger players should take his as an example as he shows full commitment for every game he plays.
However, every good run will still have its negatives. For Perak, their midfield needs to improve and the central midfield pairing of Wan Hossein and Nazri Kamal has looked weary. Norizan Bakar, told once that we should salute the team as a whole rather than picking out individuals.
As a journalist, I do need to see the frailties in the team and I do feel that the team needs to boost their midfield. If we were to go till the finals, this is one department, Cikgu Jan needs to improve
K. Nanthakumar should not be warming the bench as the veteran is much experienced and composed than the 22 year old, Wan Hossein. Against Sabah, he was the stabilising factor for the midfield as he controlled the tempo of the game whereas Wan Hossein looked nervy.
From now on, the crowd will be coming back as the team is starting to show their true selves. The 'Kejor yeop kejor' spirit is slowly creeping and the people are hoping that these players will make them proud.
Group stages done, now it's time for them to go a notch higher. We have a great coach and a determined set of players. This is time to bring back the glory days of Perak!
Avinesh's verdict: Group done, next quarter finals...Got to see who their facing. We can't be confident because anything can happen in football...=)
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