IDRIS RISES TO THE CHALLENGE TO SAVE THE DEERS

NEGRI SEMBILAN will be banking on 33-year-old Idris Abdul Karim to save the Deers from crashing out of the Malaysia Cup against Johor FC in the second-leg match at J-Corp Pasir Gudang Stadium tonight. The midfielder hails from Johore moves into the striker role during the Malaysia Cup campaign after striker Mohd Zaquan Abd Razak was unavailable when he went for a knee operation.

Idris was the Negri livewire and he was instrumental in guiding the defending champions fine runs in the Malaysia Cup campaign as they remain unbeaten until on Wednesday night. The hard running midfielder was unavailable due to suspension and his presence was sorely miss in their 1-0 loss to Johor FC in the first leg.

His presence brought a huge relief to coach Wan Jamak Wan Hassan as he prepare his side for a suicide match return leg to his home state first to cancel out Johor FC one-goal-advantage and secondly by no means - winning the match. To add salt to Negri wound they will be without their captain Rezal Zambry Yahya for the cruncher due to his injury suffered in their last match.

The coach still has not made any decisions his choice of players to lead the front line for tonight match but he will leave it late to assure he field the right choice of players for the job. The Negri coach really needs kind of players who will have the firepower and physical ability to break down the wall (with ninth men at the back) - surely it must be hell of a job.

For tonight match, Negri will be playing a chasing game after conceding a one goal at Paroi. They need a goal to guarantees a draw and turn the match in their favour. While Johor FC they need to defend very well and be very efficient. But if they opted to play the same way at Paroi I doubted they can't survive it for such a long time.

In the first leg Negri created numerous chances against Johor FC but eventually undone by a last minute gift goal from substitute Mohd Ezaidy Khadar.