PETALING JAYA: Unpredictable Sarawak should give Super League title contenders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) a run for their money.
The Southern Tigers will be crowned champions if they beat the Crocs at the State Stadium in Kuching on Wednesday.
But it is easier said than done.
Sarawak have a feared reputation at home since the famous “Ngap Sayot” days under the legendary Awang Mahyan in the 1980s. Then, Sarawak made the best of their home matches to qualify to their first-ever Malaysia Cup semi-finals in 1988.
This season, Sarawak under Dutchman Robert Alberts may not have a 100% record at home but the fact remains that they are a tough team to beat in front of their home fans.
Last season, Alberts led Sarawak to emerge Premier League champions with an unbeaten record and they also reached the Malaysia Cup semi-finals.
They were simply unstoppable at home, winning 10 matches and drawing once.
Nippy Sarawak striker S. Chanturu said they will be no pushovers even though they are out of the chase for the league title.
“In football anything is possible. We have a target to meet – that is a top-five finish. We will do our best to win this game,” said Chanturu.
Sarawak are seventh in the 12-team league with 30 points.
They have lost only three times – Kelantan (1-0), Selangor (2-0) and Terengganu (1-3) — at home this season. They have a formidable set of players led by Junior Eldstel, Mohd Ashri Chuchu, Joseph Kallang Tie, Zamri Morshidi, Ronny Harun and Akmal Rizal Rakhli.
For JDT, this is their best chance to clinch the league crown.
All they need is a simple win to pip nearest rivals Selangor to the title and a place in the AFC Cup next season.
JDT lead with 41 points, one ahead of Selangor.
However, Compared to JDT, Selangor have an easier task as they face the already-relegated PKNS FC at the Shah Alam Stadium.
At the other end of the table, an interesting battle looms with defending champions Lions XII (25), T-Team (24), the resurgent Armed Forces (23) and Perak (23) fighting to beat the drop.
Only one of these four teams will join PKNS in next season’s Premier League. Perak seem to have the toughest job among the four as they are at home to third placed Pahang.
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