Pahang coach Dollah Salleh was one happy man after watching his team destroy defending Malaysia Cup champions Perak 3-0 in a Group C match at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan on Thursday.
 
However, Dollah is well aware of the pitfalls of a Cup competition and the pain of losing the two-leg FA Cup semi-finals to Perak after a 3-0 defeat in Ipoh which knocked out the East Coast giants 4-3 on aggregate is still fresh in his mind. Pahang had convincingly won the first-leg in Kuantan by a 3-1 margin.
 
With this in mind, Dollah has called on his players to have their “feet on the ground” as the journey has begun. Six points from two matches is certainly a good start for any team and Dollah hopes his team will “keep the momentum” in the coming matches.
 
Pahang defeated Penang 3-1 also at home in their first match. The Elephants face a tricky match against winless Sabah at the Likas Stadium on Aug 17 – their first away match in the Malaysia Cup.
 
“The win over Perak was due to hard work and disciplined strategies that we worked out in training,” said Dollah of Pahang win over Perak.
 
“We also gave special emphasis to set pieces and that worked out well for us against Perak. I am satisfied with the overall performance of the team but we cannot rest on our laurels.
 
“Instead we must look forward to our coming matches as these matches are more important now for us to keep the momentum.”
 
For the record, Pahang finished runners-up in the Super League which was won by Johor Darul Takzim for a record sixth successive year. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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