Turtles Edge Titans, Focus on Mission

Kuala Terengganu: More than the usual number of fans turned up for the local Terengganu derby at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium on Saturday night. After failing to see both teams' encounter during the pre-season friendlies, they were anxious to find out how the two brotherly teams would actually fare against each other.

In the end, it was Terengganu which advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals. Lutfulla Turaev scored the solitary goal with a brilliant header just one minute before the end of extra-time.

For Terengganu head coach, Irfan Bakti though, his team's focus remains on promotion to the first-tier or Super League after it was demoted to the Premier League this season.

Irfan Bakti: Promotion mission

He says, " Our main target is promotion. It is still a long way to go." In the Premier League standings, Terengganu is second after table-topper Negeri Sembilan. 

On the match against T-Team which ended with a scoreless draw during regulation time, Irfan adds," It was a balanced game. However Terengganu players can last the pace. We are fitter than them."   

Two players - one from each team - were sent off for red cards. The referee was also busy flashing yellow cards as he attempted to keep tempers to a manageable level.

Irfan's counterpart from T-Team, Rahmad Darmawan, agrees that the game was balanced. Even so, he says that Terengganu was luckier as they were able to score with just one attack whilst T-Team were in control during extra time. Rahmad adds: "Usually in a derby, mental strength plays an important role to win the game. It this respect, emotional control on both sides is essential."

Rahmad Darmawan: Mental strength

Terengganu will meet another Super League outfit, Sarawak, in the FA Cup Quarter Finals.

The fans from both teams went back feeling relieved that a team from the state is still in contention for the FA Cup. However they also know it is already mid-March.

Terengganu has 18 points from six wins, and two losses ; 14 goals for versus 10 goals against. T-Team, eighth in Super League standings,  has nine points from two wins, three losses and three draws; 8 goals for versus 16 goals against. 
Going forward, fans expect nothing less than 100% commitment from the players and officials from both teams.