# Selangor club well placed for a place in Malaysia Cup quarter-finals
# Coach Elavarasan has able replacement for suspended Pedro Henrique
The suspension of Timor Leste left footed striker Pedro Henrique Oliveira has thrown a spanner in coach E. Elavarasan’s match plans for PKNS FC against Police in a Group D Malaysia Cup match at the Shah Alam Stadium on Wednesday.
However, Elavarasan is not too concerned as he has able replacements for Oliveira who will sit out the match after picking up his third yellow card in the competition.
“Pedro is a gifted left footer and we will miss him for sure. But I have already picked a replacement for him,” said Elavarasan.
A draw will be enough for PKNS for a top two finish in the group and join defending champions Pahang in the quarter-finals. Pahang are through to the last eight with nine points from three wins in five matches.
PKNS are second in the group with eight points from two wins, two draws and one defeat with Penang third and Police fourth with five points each but separated by goal difference.
“We should have nailed our place in our last match with a win against Penang,” lamented Elavarasan.
PKNS had come from behind to share points with a 1-1 draw at home but Elavarasan has put that disappointment behind him and instead is counting for a positive result against Police on Wednesday.
“It was a match (against Penang) that could have gone either way, especially in the second half with teams opening up play. We could have scored and Penang could have scored the winner,” said Elavarasan.
“Still, I am pleased with the way my players performed. They were disciplined, showed tremendous fighting spirit and commitment for a draw. And I am counting on them to give the same when we play Police in our final group match.”
Elavarasan, however, has warned his players that they have to be wary the unpredictable run by Police. Their performance has been yo-yo but they have proven to be a tough nut.
“It is not easy to play Police. Police can make life difficult for us and we don’t want that to happen. We have to be fully focused and secure a win to be there (advance).
Former kingpins, 32-time champions Selangor become the first team to advance to the quarter-finals followed by Pahang and newly crowned AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Takzim.
Meanwhile, Pahang coach Zainal Abidin Hassan has warned his players not to take things easy against Penang – the team that whipped the champions 4-1 at the City Stadium in the first round.
This was followed by another 4-1 defeat – this time to PKNS in Kuantan before Pahang got back on track with a 3-0 win over Police to stay afloat to keep their Malaysia Cup hopes alive.
It is time for revenge for the Elephants but Zainal expects a tough encounter against the Panthers.
“We have to keep our momentum and winning ways after the two heart breaking defeats to Penang and PKNS. Let us give our home fans something to cheer,” said Zainal.
