PREMIER LEAGUE hopefuls Police are firing on all fronts ā sitting on top in the league with maximum points after two wins and a place in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
But it is not a ābig dealā for chief coach Dollah Salleh, who says that the real test for his team will come when they face winless Sabah at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in Kelana Jaya.
āYes. We are on the top of the league and we are in the FA Cup quarterfinals, but we had luck on our side … we beat 10-man Johor Darul Takzim II (3-1) and Penang (5-1).
āIn the FA Cup first round we were extremely lucky to beat KL SPA (1-0) and all-local side PBAPP FC (2-0) in the second round,ā said Dollah who is recuperating from surgery to insert a heart stent last week.
However, the former international who coached Pahang last season and took the Elephants to the Malaysia Cup title, simply cannot stay away ā despite being medically advised to rest for two to three weeks.
He flew down to Penang for the FA Cup match against Penang Water Supply Corporation FC (PBAPP FC).
In the FA Cup quarterfinals, Police will play the first leg at home to Pahang.
āThe real battle is only beginning. We have yet to strike fear as a team. The individual flair is there but as a team we are still lacking. However, there has been much improvement overall.ā
Dollah is wary of the threat by Sabah although the East Malaysians are still winless in the league ā losing by 3-1 margins to Penang away and Felda United at home.
āSabah will be our first real test. They are a strong side and have good teamwork. I find them a real threat and we will have to raise our game if we want to beat them.ā
However, Sabah gave strong signs that they are still a team to be reckoned with after giving defending FA Cup champions Kelantan a run for their money in a second round match in Kota Baru.
Sabah, coached by Seslija Milomir, were beaten 2-1 with the winning goal coming six minutes into injury time.
Kelantan coach Steve Darby has described Sabah as a well organised side that can pose problems to any team.
