# ‘Group D is wide open now’ – Elavarasan
# ‘We can either top or go to the bottom after the Police match ‘ – Elavarasan
Many would not have seen it coming at the City Stadium but Penang’s 4-1 whitewash of defending champions Pahang has thrown Group D wide open for a top two finish.
PKNS FC play Police away at Shah Alam Stadium on Monday – an intriguing match which could either send Premier League outfit PKNS FC to the top of the table with a win or to the bottom if they lose.
PKNS FC head coach E. Elavarasan, however, has called on his players forget what happened at the City Stadium and keep focused on the all-important match against Police.
“We need to have belief and confidence in ourselves,” said Elavarasan, a former international who took over the side this season.
“Police may be at the bottom of the group for now but they have a a good attacking side with strong individual players.
Elavarasan added that Pahang crushing defeating in Penang is something that happens in football.
“It could be just one of those days when nothing went right for Pahang and Penang scored from the opportunities that came their way. Nothing to be surprised and Pahang are still very much in contention.
“This is just the first round matches.,.there are three more matches in the second round and Pahang could wake up from the big defeat.”
Putting the Pahang-Penang match aside, Elavarasan said: “It is not going to be easy match for either team. We want a win to go to the top of the group while Police need a win to stay alive.
“It is a very tricky group for now. It will be intriguing match for both Police and PKNS. This is the first time we will be playing them in a competitive this season.”
Despite defeat Pahang are still on top with six points from their 4-3 win over Police in the first match followed by a 2-0 win over PKNS. Penang moved into second match with four points from a win (against Pahang) and a draw (3-3 against Police) and a defeat (3-0 to PKNS).
PKNS are in third place with three points while Police are at the bottom with one point.
Elavarasan picked Dramane Troare and Maldives national skipper Ashfaq Ali as the “twin dangers” his team will need to watch.
