Maniam wants Selangor to secure quarter-final tie against Kedah at home

Zulhilmi Zainal

Maniam wants Selangor to secure quarter-final tie against Kedah at home image

BY        ZULHILMI ZAINAL       Follow on Twitter


Ahead of Selangor's first leg Malaysia Cup quarter-final match against Kedah on Friday, the Red Giants head coach Maniam Pachaiappan told Goal that he wants his charges to settle the tie in the first leg match.

Selangor will be playing at home, the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium on Friday, while the return fixture will be played at the Darul Aman Stadium next weekend.

"We aim to avoid conceding while concentrating on creating chances. I hope Forkey Doe, Rufino [Segovia] and Amri [Yahyah] will be able to create the chances needed.

"It won't be easy playing in Alor Star, and this (playing at home) will be our best chance to do well. Furthermore we will have the backing of our supporters, and with their help the players will play with more motivation in order to get a good result," said Maniam when met after their last training session on Thursday, in Shah Alam.

However, their task is not expected to be an easy one, due to star winger Andik Vermansah's probable absence. He picked up an injury in their previous match; their final Malaysia Cup group match against JDT which they lost 3-1.

"It's not that Andik cannot play, but we're putting him on stand-by for the time being due to his foot injury. He should recover in time for the following game, but for Friday's match we have to wait to observe him on the day itself.

"Raimi [Noor] has recovered from his earlier injury, while Khairulazhan Khalid has recovered from his fever," revealed Maniam.

Zulhilmi Zainal