‘Group of Death’, How will they fare?

Malaysia Cup has always been one of the most of prestigious cups in Malaysia for more than 80 years. On the September of 6, all the state and club teams will kick off for the tournament which has seen Selangor holding the cup for 32 years.

Perak, one of the most dominant teams in the Northern Region, has won the tournament 7 times, In this year’s edition, Perak will have a tough time to qualify for the quarter finals as they have been grouped into the ‘Group of Death’.

Kedah, Johor and Sabah are in the group and many are expecting a close fight from these teams to qualify for the quarter finals. To make the fixtures more appetizing, Perak will be facing off the regional rivals, Kedah in the group stages.

Here is the background of the teams and how will they fare in the Astro Malaysia Cup 2011.

Kedah

Having won the Malaysia Cup with Negeri Sembilan last season, Wan Jamak Wan Hassan will be eager to win it again with Kedah. Kedah, who has been a force since 2005, has not been domineering selves since 2009 and they surely would want to prove everyone wrong by winning the Malaysia Cup this year.

Having National players like Amar Rohidan, Mohd Azmi Muslim, Khyril Muhyeen Zambri and Badrol Bakhtiar, Kedah will have ample ammunition to compete against their 3 group members.

Having won the Malaysia Cup 4 times, their fanatical supporters would want to see their beloved ‘Canaries’ to lift the trophy which they last won in 2008.

Kedah, who has yet to bolster their squad for the Malaysia Cup campaign, will rely in their youngster and old heads. Victor Andrag, who was the pillar for the historical 2007 and 2008 season, is back and his presence will be enough to spur the team on.

Baddrol Bakhtiar will be the ace in the pack as the 23 year old has been the team’s main architect. Creating chances for himself, Azlan Ismail and youngster Faizal Abu Bakar, Wan Jamak will rely on his expertise to unlock defences.

With such array of players, Kedah are the favourites for this group and with such ardent fans behind them, they are expected to survive the ‘Group of Death’.

Perak

Norizan Bakar is currently having a tough time to form his squad as he is bound to lose five of his top players for the Malaysia Cup.

Sharulnizam Mustapha, Akmal Rizal Rakhli, Nasril Nourdin, Azmeer Yusoff and Syazwan Roslan have received a 7 game ban from FAM for the fracas during the Sabah game at Lumut.

Perak FA, have submitted their appeal to FAM and Perak fans are eagerly waiting for their decision.

Cikgu Jan wouldn’t have wanted such a start, but being one of the pioneers of Malaysian football, he has made intent for the Malaysia Cup as he has roped in three players on Loan.

Mohd Failee Ghazali, Mohd Rafiuddin Roddin and Mohd Hafiszuan Salehuddin will bring much needed attacking impetus to the team.

The Defense marshaled by Mohd Hisyamuddin Shaari and Khairi Zainuddin has been lauded by many football enthusiast and they are expected to continue their good job for the coming Malaysia Cup campaign.

Norizan will surely draft in his youngster for the campaign as players like Mohd Shazuan Ashraf Matthews and Mohd Nurridzuan Abu Hassan have the potential to become top class players. Both only 19, they have played many games for Perak this season and they have the promise to bring Perak to greater heights.

Norizan Bakar would surely want the ban for the 5 players to be reduced as they are the lynchpins of the squad. Akmal, Shahrulnizam, Syazwan and Nasril are the mainstays of the team and if they are available for the Malaysia Cup, Perak is expected to qualify together with Kedah.

Sabah

Under the tutelage of Veteran Coach, Justin Ganai, Sabah has been steadily mending their ship to ensure that they stay afloat in the League.

Come 6^th September, Sabah will be the dark horse of the group and they are expected to give Perak and Kedah a run for their money.

Promotion has certainly given them some much needed impetus as they have brought in players with great caliber and the potential to make Sabah an outfit that was once feared during the 90s.

Hassan Sani, James Wing, Matlan Marjan and Peter Rajah has lighted up the football scene in Malaysia and since then, they have etched the name of Borneo in Malaysians heart.

This season Ganai have players who have made a name for themselves in the Malaysian league. Footballers like Rethauddin Emran, Azizon Abdul Kadir, Syed Adeny Syed Hussein, Sumardy Hajalan, Zainizam Marjan and Rosdin Wasli will be relied upon to spearhead Sabah’s challenge.

Zainizam Marjan, Matlan Marjan’s younger brother will be the toast for Sabah although age has caught up with him. The 31 year old playmaker cum striker has always loved the Malaysia Cup and in 2002, he single handedly could have brought the coveted HMS Trophy to Kota Kinabalu.

Justin Ganai will need to address the team’s consistency to ensure his squad succeeds in the Malaysia Cup and give a fight to the Northern region teams.

Johor

Having won the Malaysia Cup twice in 1985 and 1991, Johor seems to have lost their supremacy. Those days Johor was a feared team with players like Mohd Nazree Tee Abdullah, Rezal Zambary Yahya, Salehan Md Som, and Idris Karim.

Azmi Muhammad, his first tenure as a coach, has done a good job with a very young squad. Azmi has steadied the ship and this season, the finished 4^th in the Premier League which saw PKNS proclaimed as the champions.

Johor which has been overshadowed by Johor FC for many years will want to break the momentum shown by Johor FC and regain their supremacy in the state of Johor. Thus, Azmi has assembeled a squad full of youngsters so that they can sustain in the years to come.

Players like Norizam Salaman, Mohd. Syamim Othman, Mohd Asyraf Al Japri and Mohd Syukri Ismail who have been vital towards the team’s growth this season will be relied to spearhead the team’s challenge.

Former Negeri Sembilan lad, Norizam Salaman, who won the FA Cup last season with them, will be the man to bang in the goals. 13 goals in the Premier League, he will be the ace in the pack for the Scorpions.

Johor will be the underdog in this group but the players would surely gain invaluable experience from the Malaysia Cup. Getting the opportunity to play against Rethauddin Emran, Shahrulnizam Mustapha and Badrol Bakhtiar would be a good exposure for the young team.

Avinesh's verdict: Perak and Kedah will come out from this tough group..But watch out for Sabah..Hopefully they will not make another 5 players to be suspended!! hahahaha...=P