NEGRI ARE READY TO DO BATTLE AGAINST KELANTAN

Here I would like you to share my preview on this 63rd Malaysia Cup Final between Negri Sembilan and Kelantan. So exactly there is nothing much to write for it will be just exactly the same just like last year's final. Kelantan will likely adopt to a 4-4-2 formation no doubt they will come down hard with guns blazing and will be all over the field. 

I'm convinced they will try to rattle the defending champions at the same time to neutralise their opponent usual game with hopes the Negri side will make some mistake at the back and get an early goal. If Sathia prefered to go all out assault then it will be a 4-3-3 with NorShahrul, Hairuddin and Akmal Rizal for a three-man-attack.

If they did get an early goal, Negri then will surely come out from their shells in search for the equaliser. This will be the turning point for Kelantan to take full advantage to launch quick counter-attacks to kill-off the game. With a second goal. It's game over.  

But they must beware the longer they took to find that first goal the Negri side would grew more confidence and slowly they could hit back. It would backfired and Kelantan will be running out of gas. Cause in this kind of game situation you needs bundle of energy to sustain the whole 90 minutes period full of concentration without fail.


For the Negri coach Wan Jamak he will definitely rely on their usual 4-4-2 formation and they realy need to be focus on the game right from the start. Any lapse of concentration early in the match could be fatal. Do not easily intimidate and disrupt by their opponents and try to avoid keeping the ball too long. Play a one touch or two touch football will do and keep the defence tight and intact for the first 30 minutes. They have experience players in their side that would give them the edge but with Rezal out Wan Jamak could go for a safer 4-5-1 formation with one man upfront but compact in midfield. Surely tireless and hardworking Idris Karim will double up as back up striker and midfielder.

For experience players such as captain Rezal Zambry Yahya whom likely to  miss the clash, Idris Karim, Ching Hong Aik, Shukor Adan and Aidil they need to keep their heads cool if one of them lose control it will be chaos. Show the fans what you can do and thrill the crowd with your  experience at international level. In big occasion like this the fans will appreciate and remember and looks up to you.

For both teams, Kelantan's defending wise not so stable with Azizi Matt Rose and S.Subramaniam is out for the match through injury. Negri looks more solid with Shukur and Aidil looks comfortable at the back. In midfield Negri looks far fore formidable but without Rezal his place might goes to youngster Qhairul. Strike force Kelantan with Nor Shahrul Idlan Talha, Mohd Norfarhan and Hairuddin Omar they have the edge. So it will be Negri Sembilan 2 Kelantan 1. 

Both teams are looking for cup glory, for Kelantan this will be their fourth attempt and twice for Sathia whom still feels the agony of defeat when his side went down to Negri in the last year's final. So this will be the driving factor for them since Kelantan had never won the cup.

Meanwhile for Negri, this is their fourth Malaysia Cup finals. So it might be third time lucky under Wan Jamak to grab his second in a row. To former national coach, B.Sathianatan who is also a former Negri Sembilan player surely he must do a lot of thinking to plot Negri downfall and settle the score with Wan Jamak and bring the Cup to the east coast. 

With all coaches Irfan Bakti (Terengganu), M.Karathu, Yunus Alif (Perlis), Azuan Zain (Johor FC), K.Devan (Selangor) favour Kelantan to win only Ahmad Yusof of Kedah said otherwise. So lets enjoy the match. Long live Malaysian football.