Pahang without important trio for FA Cup semi-final first leg

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Pahang without important trio for FA Cup semi-final first leg image

Pahang reached the 2018 FA Cup semi-final after defeating Johor Darul Ta'zim 3-0 on aggregate score and are arguably the team to beat of the last four teams remaining in the competition.

However their task ahead of the first leg encounter against plucky PKNP will not be an easy task as they will be without three regular starters who are all on a one-match suspension.

Matthew Davies, Safuwan Baharudin and Nor Azam Azih are the ones that will miss out in the first leg to be played at Darul Makmur Stadium on Saturday.

Davies is of course the captain of the team and a dependable right back while Safuwan and Nor Azam have formed a formidable partnership in midfield - the presence of all three will be sorely missed for The Elephants.

"We have to make do with what is available in denying PKNP from winning or scoring the away goal. We will do what is necessary to beef up midfield and defence considering the absence of the trio. But I have faith in whoever coming in to ensure that Pahang can take a win to the second leg," said Mohammed Suffian Awang, the team manager in a Harian Metro report. 

Pahang have yet to host PKNP in the Super League this season but have played them at Perak Stadium just recently where they came away with a 1-2 win, having trailed the match at the start.

Dollah and his boys will be looking to go one better than the did last season in the same competition when they went all the way to the final only to lose to Kedah. Pahang have previously won the cup on two separate occasions in 2006 and 2014. 

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