ALOR STAR: Kedah sorely missed the services of their foreign players when they began the defence of the Malaysia Cup title at the Darulaman Stadium here last night.
The Canaries, who have successfully retained the Super League title, drew 1-1 with Police in their opening Group B match. President’s Cupper Shafiq Jamal put Kedah ahead in the 18th minute and Police equalised through Mohd Norfarshan Mohd in the 24th minute.
Two of the three Kedah foreign players missed the match because of national duty. Their top goal poacher, Marlon James, and defender Bernard Huggings had flown home to feature for St Vincent in a World Cup qualifying match.
The other foreigner, Chilean midfielder Nelson Martin, was grounded by suspension for the red card he received in the final Super League match against Perlis last month.
In their absence, coach Mohd Azraai Khor had no choice but to field the President’s Cup players for the match. Among those who took to the pitch were Shafiq, Mohd Nizam Mansor, Badrol Bakhtiar and Sobri Abu.
Foiled: Police goalkeeper Amini Ahmad Tarbini prevents Kedah’s Mohd Khyril Muhymeen from scoring during their Group B match at the Darulaman Stadium Wednesday. The match ended 1-1. – By K.E.OOI / The Star
Police made an attempt to exploit the situation and were the early aggressors but the Canaries quickly settled down to show that they still had enough to gun for goals as well.
After taking several look at the Police goal, the Canaries struck in the 18th minute with Shafiq glancing home Badrol’s cross. But their joy was short-lived.
Police doubled their efforts in launching the attacks and a low cross from Michael Barasa beat goalkeeper Helmi Eliza completely and it gave Mohd Norfarhan the simplest task of tucking home the loose ball to put the cops back on level terms.
Kedah went into overdrive and bombarded the Police goal. But they were unlucky not to regain the lead. They came closest to getting a goal in the 49th minute. A stiff shot from Badrol from 25m beat goalkeeper Amini Ahmad Tarbini but it rocked the woodwork.
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