This would not be an easy match for the Crocs, and everyone knows it. Despite Sarawak’s win against Penang last Tuesday, Kelantan come in as favourites to walk away with the full three points in Kuching, and they have past records to show it. As a matter of fact, the Crocs have not defeated Kelantan since 2011, with their last encounter ending the Crocs journey in the FA Cup last season.
If preparations were to be considered, the Kelantan team, also known as The Red Warriors (TRW) look well prepared for this fixture as they had a whole weeks rest, while Sarawak had to play extra time to come out winners of the FA Cup tie against Penang.
During the pre-season, Kelantan also had plenty of good pre-season preparations, if compared to the Crocs which had theirs hampered by poor weather conditions.
Although TRW look certain to be playing without the likes of Egyption Mohamed Shawky and central midfielder Amar Rohidan, the squad itself looks powerful with Nazri Ahmad most probably asked to fill in the space left by Shawky.
The injury of Shawky automatically means that Steve Darby would most probably feature two of his best striking imports in Francis Forkey Doe and Mohammed Ghaddar upfront. The technically gifted duo is expected to give Robert Alberts defender a torrid time with the likes of Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi and Ahmad Fakri Saarani supplying in quality passes from the centre.
At defence, the likes of Obinna Nwaneri looks set to start as he keeps Sarawak import strikers, namely Aliredza Abbasfard and Milorad Janjus out of the goal guarded Khairul Fahmi.
Sarawak will not play influential Muamer Salibasic for this game, but would be hoping that both their import strikers would start finding the back of the net beginning tonight. Milorad and Aliredza had previously been criticized by head coach Robert Alberts for their poor showing, and this could soon translate into both strikers being dropped if thay continue to under-perform.
In midfield, tenacious Joseph Kalang would be the star player with the likes of Ashri Chuchu, Junior Eldstal and Mohd Lot stepping up their game to control the midfield. Nothing much is expected to change at Sarawak’s back line with Mafry Balang still unfit to play.
A clash between Sarawak and Kelantan is always heated up, and we expect nothing different from this one.
Altough home advantage does go Sarawak’s way, realistically, we do not expect Sarawak to be able to defeat TRW this time around.
OUR BIASED PREDICTION: SARAWAK FA 2-2 KELANTAN FA
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