Wanted: Players to fight and win for Turtles

Perak head coach, Dato' M Karathu, considers Terengganu an organised team. But that does not mean Turtles will have easy passage in Ipoh tonight.

Indeed theoretically Perak will begin as the favourite as they have a number of advantages. They have more rest as they didn't have any Super League match last Saturday. They stayed at home watching and analysing how Felda United sidestepped Terengganu 3-1, with two goals coming in the last ten minutes on Saturday. They don't have to travel for tonight's game. Terengganu will also be without influential Ismail Faruqi who was red-carded in the FA Cup first leg. Besides the expected home support, Perak also have the away-game advantage.

More dangerously revenge is on their minds.

But the beauty of the ball is round (bola itu bulat) game is this: In practice, anything can happen tonight.

For Terengganu, their come-back-from-behind 3-2 Super League win in Ipoh recently is just a record, and perhaps a small morale-booster. Their last match on Saturday had exposed their weaknesses.

So Terengganu are in dire need of cool-headed but ruthless warriors who are willing to fight until a semi-final birth is confirmed. Ninety minutes plus extra time, 30 minutes of extra time or penalty kicks don't matter any more - as long as Terengganu can once again advance to the semi-finals.

Or to put it blatantly, win by hook or crook.

Terengganu FA President, Dato' Wan Ahmad Nizam Hamid, stresses, " Surely we want to win. We have invested so much to strengthen the team."  Local and foreign stars as well as newbies alike, the time has come. Just show us what you have!

Historically Terengganu have been luckier in the FA Cup compared to other competition. Tonight, once again they need genuine fighters who can play as a well-organised invincible team. Anything else will not be good enough.

Echoing his president, head coach Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, agrees, " It's going to be a great game. We shall field only those who really works the will to win."  By the grace of Allah, He will help those who really want to win badly - body, spirit, mind, heart and soul - properly aligned.  For Terengganu players: Here is your rare chance to make good.

Good luck Terengganu!