BY ZULHILMI ZAINAL Follow on Twitter
Following his side's 3-0 thumping of Terengganu in the second leg of their FA Cup semi-final match, Kedah's caretaker head coach Nidzam Adha said he was relieved that his decision to rest his key men in their earlier mid-week Super League match.
The Red Eagles played away to PKNS FC on Tuesday without star midfielder Liridon Krasniqi, winger Baddrol Bakhtiar and Syazwan Zainon at the start, among many others. The decision seemed to affect their performance, as although they had been leading the league strugglers 3-1 at halftime, the match eventually finished in a 4-4 draw.
But against the Turtles, Nidzam was able to field his strongest side save for the injured Australian centre back Zac Anderson, and ended coming away with a 4-0 win on aggregate.
"Praise God, I want to thank my men who displayed their utmost commitment and discipline in the match.
"The win is due to the decision to rest six key players against PKNS in our league match the other day, as preparation for the cup match," said Nidzam when interviewed by the match broadcaster after the win.
In the final match this Saturday, Kedah will face Pahang, who beat Negeri Sembilan 3-1 on aggregate in the other semi-final tie.