Watsons Malaysia Cup 2013: Group D

Personaly, i am against the idea of having an invitational club in our domestic football league or cup competition. I hope they (FAM) will not extend the contract with their counterpart in singapore (FAS) for the 'team exchange' program. 

To improve league competitiveness, FAM should look from other perspective, such as the much awaited clubs and league privatisation. But today i won't say much on that issue. I will elaborate more on the privatisation issue next time. 

Lets take a look on the teams competing in group D.

1. LionsXII: I don't blame them for winning the Malaysian Super League. We take the risk when we invited an invitational club into our league. Enough with the JBS pitch issue, Malaysian clubs should take extra blame for not able to compete at JBS for two seasons!

Sundramoorthy choose to play with effective football. Less beauty, but good enough to secure the three points at home and at least a point on away game.

Absorb the presure, and launch an effective counter attack is their main game plan. Shahril Ishak surely will be involved in that process, cleverly hold the ball while waiting for the supportive runs from the rest. He is the main man behind every Lions move. Clamp him down and 60% of your problem will be solved. Another threat always come from set pieces. Baihakki Khaizan and Safuwan are the main targets. Coaches needs to figure out on how to prevent their aerial threat. I predict they will march for the next stage.

Key players: Izwan Mahbud, Baihakki Khaizan, Harris Harun, Isa Halim, Shahril Ishak, Saiful Esah, Fariz Nawaz.

2. Perak: Predictably inconsistent throughout the season. It may due to injury to some of the important player such as S Chanturu. They also have problem with the foreign striker before the arrival of Paolo Rangel. Azraai Khor men usualy played with 4-4-2 direct formation, and they are quite aggresive with pressings.

If they could have an injury free squad, i believe Perak on their good day, will be a hard side to beat. I would like to see Hadi Yahya to be back on his predatory form in front of goal. It is important for any local players to improve and sometimes could outshine the foreign pros. I think Perak have slim chance to qualify. 

Key players: Farizal Marlias, Rafael, Shahrulnizam Mustafa, S Chanturu, Paolo Rangel, Hadi Yahya, Yong Kong Yong

3. Sarawak: A rising team under brilliant tactician Robert Alberts. Can't wait to see them on this year's edition. Unbeaten in the premier league, i am sure Sarawak will carry on their fine form into Malaysia cup. 

I am big fans of Joseph Kalang Tie, a left footed wizard who can operate on either flank, or as an attacking midfielder behind the striker. Sarawak are blessed to have this kind of intelligent player, and i believe he will be the main man to spark the attacks. With passionate supporters, i think Sarawak will acompany LionsXII to the quarter final.

Key players: Saiful Amar, Ronny Harun, Guy Bwele, Joseph Kalang Tie, Bobby Gonzales, Muamer Salibasic, Junior Eldstal, Ashri Chuchu.

4. Kedah: A sleeping giant from the north. Traditionaly one of the big sides in Malaysian football. The declining trend of Kedah may be due to management's lack of ambition or lack of funds available for quality signings. 

The appointment of new Kedah FA president, Dato Seri Mukhriz Mahathir could offer some hope of revival in the near future. I also hope Kedah could make immediate return to the country's top flight.

Tacticaly, Kedah still have a decent line up. The biggest concern should be how to stop conceeding a goal. A more compact formation could be the best solution, or play with the back three can be considered as well. With current form taken into considerations, i don't think Kedah could make it.

Key players: Sabree Abu, Khyril Muhymeen, Baddrol Bakhtiar, Akmal Rizal, Alen Guc, Nelson Martin, Faizal Abu Bakar.

Watsons Malaysia Cup 2013: Group C

Some called it as the group of east coast. For the past 3 to 4 years, east coast sides proved significant progress in all aspects. They produced so many talented players at all level. Take a look at the Harimau Muda set up, you can find so many young players either from Kelantan, Terengganu or Pahang.

It is very unfortunate for the three east coast giants drawn in the same group. And it is also very unfortunate for the relegated Negeri Sembilan found themself sit in this tough group.

Group C:

1. Kelantan: Finaly found their best form towards the end of the Super League campaign. The FA cup triumph delivered mammoth relief and increase their confidence level, in the dressing room at least. Goalscoring form has been encouraging lately, with Dickson enjoying his lone striker role upfront. The elimination from the AFC Cup also contributing to The Red Warriors recovery. Because of lesser amount of tough fixtures, Bojan Hodak now can focus on this Malaysia cup campaign. Thats mean, lesser tinkering to the squad and the starting eleven.

We all know the quality possesed by the midfield pair of Badhri Radzi and Shakir Shaari. Physically, the pair looked better after that AFC cup exit, and they are back to normal business. With the likes of Faiz Subri, Nur Farhan Mohd and experienced Indra Putra Mahyuddin, The Red Warriors still have the ability to go far in this competition.

Key players: Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Nik Shahrul Azim, Badhri Radzi, Nur Farhan Mohd, Obinna, Dickson.

2. Pahang: The biggest comeback in M League this year. Gained promotion last year, Dollah Salleh's young squad continue with their impressive attacking philosophy. Build around young and pacey players, Pahang always dangerous when the ball at Gopi's feet. I would like to congratulate Dollah for his work in moulding a new midfield combination in the likes of Amirulhadi Zainal and Hafiz Kamal.

I regard Hafiz Kamal as the next star midfield in the making, if he is to be coached in the right direction continously, and consistently. Elegant left foot, comfortable with the ball, great vision and ability to execute the defence-splitting-pass, his natural playmaking display impressed me this year.

Key players: Nasril Nordin, Razman Roslan, Damian Steward, Amirulhadi Zainal, Hafiz Kamal, Gopi, Matias Conti, Azamuddin Akil.

3. Terengganu: Another dissapointing league campaign by a talented side as Terengganu. Most of the game played in the afternoon, with some players and coaches thought that it was the biggest factor why Ellavarasan side struggled to earn maximum points at home.
however, do not rule out the the potentialy explosive trio in the likes of Effa owana, Manaf mamat and Ashaari Samsuddin.

Manaf Mamat always remind me of Udinese's Antone De Natale. Hard working, hungry eye for goal and his passionate in wearing the shirt he loved most as a local lads. Slightly behind him, and sometimes played alongside manaf, is the main man in Terengganu set up.  Beware of Ashaari Samsuddin, for his tricky runs and matchwinning performance.

Key players: Faizal Muhamad, Ashaari Samsuddin, Effa owana, Manaf Mamat, Ismail Faruqi, Zubir Azmi.

4. Negeri Sembilan: Malaysia cup finalist for few occasions for the past five years, experiencing disasterous Super league campaign for certain reasons. Appearance in this year Malaysia cup should be considered as consolations, something to cheer about for the  Jangs faithful.

Nazrin Nawi is the biggest discovery in this year Malaysian Super League. An attacking midfielder normally play at left flank, and he is always allowed to roam inside to create oppenings, Nazrin is seen as many as next big thing in Malaysian football. Great pace, deadly left foot's strike, great to watch in one to one duel and not forget his quality in delivering an early cross from the left flank.

Key players: Norhafiz zamani Misbah, Idris Karim, Nazrin Nawi, Shahurain Abu Samah, Shakir Ali.