Former coaches pick Kelantan

Two former Kelantan coaching chiefs pick Kelantan to win in tonight's FA Cup do-or-die semi-final.

Not that Kelantan had not lost to Pahang at SSMIV this season. In the first leg in Kuantan last week, they lost 0-1 away to the defending champions.   

B Sathianathan, currently rested as head coach by ATM, says, " Kelantan will be spurred by the home crowd. The chances will be stronger if Nigerian Austin Amutu plays tonight."  Although Kelantan did not play that well this season, he believes they can get their style back with Farhan as the key attack player with the foreign signing. At publishing time however, it cannot be ascertained whether Amutu is still injured or otherwise.

Rested from JDT, Bojan Hodak, another former Kelantan head coach, also says Kelantan has the edge. He says, " Pahang are tired from too many matches. Besides, in Kota Bharu, Kelantan is always the favourite."

Echoing them is Kelantan new head coach, Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah. He says, " We have 90 minutes to go all out. The only chance for us to advance to this year's FA Cup final. I hope our home fans will cheer the team to victory."

Azraai: The only chance for FA Cup final

Still, a caveat is in order.

Agreeing that all home teams have slight advantages tonight, Harimau Malaya assistant coach, Mohd Reduan Abdullah, believes that all teams still have the chance to win and qualify for the FA Cup final.

Selangor assistant coach, Anuar Abu Bakar, picks Pahang for their consistency. After 10 matches in the Super League thus far, Pahang is now leading the standings table with 20 points. 

He says, " They are very spirited to defend the FA Cup. They also have quality substitutes."