M’sia Cup Team review: Perak FA

The team known as Seladang had a mixed outing in the Malaysia Super League, and is hoping to make a mark in the Malaysia Cup 2013 this season by advancing beyond the group stages. The team is considered the underdogs of Group D, but experts have warned of being complacent when facing this seven time Malaysia Cup winner. While some pundits have ruled Perak as contenders for the Malaysia Cup, the inclusion of six president cup players may prove that the Seladangs are looking to gain experience, rather than win the trophy.

TACTICS
For the Malaysia Cup, our scouts from UltraCrocs have revealed that the team which is coached by Azraai Khor enjoys playing with a target man with the 4-4-2 formation being a great preference. The team takes time to settle down in a match as they tend to score in the last quarter of the second half.

ATTACK
Paulo Rangel is the key man to Perak’s attacking force as the Brazillian has netted ten goals in ten games in the Super League. Partnering him is Abdul Hadi Yahya, who lurks outside the goal to finish off any chances squandered by his 28-year old team mate, making this partnership probably one of the deadliest in the league. It is however believed that keeping Paulo and Abdul Hadi at bay may just be the key to stunting Perak’s ability to score goals as the team relies heavily on the duo for the goals.

MIDFIELD
The midfield of Perak is hardworking and looks eager to plan an attack through the flanks. Crosses are delivered early to unsettle their unprepared opponents, while counter-attacking football is evident against sides they think could be caught off-guard. Nonetheless, the scoring rate for midfielders in Seladang this season remain low, showing that the midfielders are more keen to play as feeders than to score themselves.

DEFENSE
Perak does not have a good record defensively, with the team leaking goals in almost every game they play this season, regardless if its played at home, or away. Despite that, Perak does have an added advantage when high balls are played into their half with coach Azraai deploying his tall defenders to the defensive task.

OUR VERDICT
Has an equal chance with Sarawak to go beyond the group stages of the Malaysia Cup, and the game against the Borneo side will most probably determine their fate.  The teams teamwork is key to their strength.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Abdul Hadi Yahya, Paulo Rangel