Imports rule

Judging from the goals scored in last night's first leg Malaysia Cup quarter final matches, import strikers still rule Malaysia's football scene. It reflects the quality that they have and the good fortune (or luck)  and/or proactive robust selection system that their respective clubs have in assessing and selecting imports.  

2. They scored 70% of the total goals (7 out of 10) including  a hattrick by Felda United's Ndumba Makeche. Kelantan's Forkey Doe (2), Pahang's Dickson Nwakaeme (1) and Edward Wilson Junior (1) were the other import scorers.  

Ndumba Makeche scored a hattrick against Red Giants

3. Granted other import players like Selangor's Paulo Rangel, JDT's Gabriel Figueroa and PDRM's Ali Ashfaq did not score in last night's matches. However based on their track record and performance last night, they are still menacing enough to pose serious threats to their opponents.

4. At one point this season, former T-Team head coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah thought he could get a good import for the team (during the second transfer window), by using Paulo Rangel's agent when he was with Perak. However as T-Team, Terengganu and other teams have learnt all this while good quality imports are hard to come by. Clubs simply have to try harder and smarter before they can secure one.

5. For the local players, especially the forwards and others who no doubt can also help their teams to score, the second leg is another opportunity (probably the last chance for some this season) to show they are at least almost at par or equally as good as the best of import players in competitive, as opposed to just friendly matches. No doubt chances were created in all last nights' matches. But consistent quality finishing is still a national issue.       

6. In order to do that, they have to be thoroughly prepared with full focus minus all the unnecessary distractions. They have to cover "all angles without fail". For instance, for Turtles to overcome what is generally-accepted to be mighty, complete and "a class of their own" JDT in Larkin and shake off or check "Darul Runtuh" or "Penyu Menangis" joke/ humiliation/ tag, they have to collectively ask pertinent questions, prepare well and execute a sound plan in Larkin.

7. Questions like: What is our real mission here? Are JDT really invincible? Are they without the slightest weakness? What are we really good at?  What lessons have we learnt? What new tactics/ techniques which we can employ? How can we make a difference and deliver as Dignified Turtles on D-Day?    

8. Last night also saw some good performance in other departments. These included excellent goalkeeping by the likes of Terengganu's Sharbinee Allawee and PDRM's Azizon Abdul Kadir as well as stout defending, including by Terengganu's Vincent Bikana.