PENANG: Kedah have a foot in the AFC Cup quarter-finals. But they are leaving nothing to chance in their final Group D fixture against leaders Home United of Singapore at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Star tonight.
They made a request for the services of two of their players in the national team preparing for the Inter-Continental Under-23 tournament Cup tournament, which will be played in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, beginning tomorrow.
National coach B. Sathianathan agreed to release winger Badrul Baktiar but rejected Kedah’s request for striker Mohd Khyril Muhymeen.
Kedah coach Mohd Azraai Khor, who has successfully led the Canaries to retain the Super League title earlier this month, said yesterday: “We are not too disappointed that we will get only one player back to strengthen the side.
“For Khyril, we have able replacement to choose from in Saramsak Kram, Hasmawi Hassan and Shafiq Jamal. All of them have recovered from injuries.”
Azraai added that Kedah would also be out to salvage some lost pride after the 1-5 rout by Home United in the first-round match.
“The players are properly rested after the successful campaign in the Super League.
“ We want to show our superiority at home again and qualifying for the AFC Cup quarter-finals will give my young side more international exposure,” he said.
Perak, the other Malaysian team in the competition, are also in with a shot to reach the quarter-finals.
Coach Steve Darby’s side will be up against Group E leaders Singapore Armed Forces in their final preliminary round fixture tonight in Singapore.
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