Terengganu defence key to match - Hodak

"Rested" JDT head coach, Bojan Hodak, believes that Terengganu defence holds the key to their 2015 FA Cup final ambition. 

He explains, " Tonight's match will be played at the new stadium which is big. Lions XII will have more space for counter attacks. The match will be decided by Terengganu defence." Although Terengganu have a better squad than Lions XII, he stresses that "Terengganu need to fix their defence". Hodak adds that Terengganu currently have the third worst defence in Malaysia.

Hodak: Terengganu defence key factor

Lions XII are a disciplined side who are good at set pieces. After the first leg in Singapore in which Terengganu lost 1-2 last week, Lions XII head coach, Fandi Ahmad said they would prepare a lot of defensive works for tonight's clash.   

Still, that doesn't mean Terengganu cannot win and make it to the FA Cup Finals again.

Hodak says, " If they (Terengganu) play tight at the back, they will win the match because Rangel, Mat Yo and other strikers will create and score goals. But defence needs to be much better."  In the first leg, Terengganu were helped from losing badly by the superb performance of goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee. They also got an important away goal through Argentinian Gustavo Fabian Lopez. 

Another rested head coach, B Sathianathan, also picks Terengganu to go through to the Final.

Sathianathan: Terengganu advantages

He says, " Terengganu, because they have advantage playing home game, with an away goal. Rangel will also be back (from suspension)." Quips an ardent football watcher, " Terengganu have an edge at home, as they have the away goal in Singapore."

Harimau Malaya assistant coach, Mohd Reduan Abdullah concurs like Kelantan, Terengganu have a slight advantage at home. Envisaging exciting and competitive game, he cautions that all the teams still have a chance to win in tonight's semi-finals.  

Indeed Terengganu have lost four consecutive matches including last week's FA Cup semi-final first leg.

Even so, some partly due to nationalistic fervour, still choose, hope and pray that Terengganu will win tonight.

" The whole country will not be happy if Terengganu don't t stop Lions XII. They have a state and a national mission. Stop Lions XII from taking the Cup across the Causeway. It should be done tonight and not next week when it could be too late by then," says a Harimau Malaya supporter.

Others attribute it personally to Terengganu head coach, Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, a local and national football otai. This year may be his last footballing year after a long distinguished involvement in the sport. 

Abdul Rahman: Football otai

Anuar Abu Bakar, his former assistant at PKNS FC, who is now Selangor assistant coach, says, "It is Haji Rahman's good fortune as a frequent finalists."

Notwithstanding the possibilities, it is time for Terengganu to get out of its temporary denial state and deliver. As a stauch supporter asks kao kao in a local dialect, " Dok kang nok kaloh sokmo?"    

Tonight,  wake up and covert all the advantages into victory!