Sarawak are favourites to win when they take on Felda United at Stadium Selayang tomorrow. The Crocs are on a three match winning streak, and are now riding at the upper half of the Malaysia Super League.
Felda United does not have a favourable record against Sarawak, but the team should not be underestimated since they do have quality in their side despite being relegated to the Premier League this season. In fact, Felda increased their quality by spending big on numerous talented players which also makes them dangerous enough to challenge for honours this season.
According to our scouts in UltraCrocs, Felda’s Zah Rahan Krangar, Edward Junior Wilson and Indra Putra are among players to watch, with Khairul Ismail, Shahrulnizam Mustapa and Shukor Adan dangerous when taking set pieces.
Irfan Bakti is also expected to rely a lot on his flankers although the tactician would be tempted to change his game plan in light of Sarawak’s rock solid defences which held strong despite Selangor and PKNS throwing everything they had in the previous two games.
The Sarawak camp is also abuzz because Robert Alberts has revealed that his team is now fatigue after being so long away from home, which for us is indirectly demoralizing his players whom are now playing a football in a very punishing schedule created by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). In fact, Sarawak did request for the Felda tie to to be played in Kuching first, but FAM declined.
That said, Robert has hinted that he would use player rotation to keep his side fresh, which means the likes of Mohamad Aidil, Zamri Morshidi, Reesyafiq Alwi, Azizan Saperi and Dalgish Papin having a possibility to play for the first leg of the FA quarter final tie.
Gabor Gyepes might also be rested, paving way for either Mafry Balang, Mazwandi Zekeria or Dzulazlan Ibrahim, while Iran striker Aliredza Abbasfard may get the nod to play too.
Regardless, we expect this game to be a very tight affair with both team setting their sight on the possibility of winning the FA Cup.
OUR BIASED PREDICTION: FELDA UNITED 0-2 SARAWAK FA
