PETALING JAYA: Once bitten, twice shy.
That’s the best way to describe the situation Police are in as they gear up for the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals against defending champions Pahang.
Premier League champions Police had suffered a heart-breaking 3-2 aggregate loss to Pahang at the same stage in the FA Cup earlier this season.
That’s why, according to Police skipper Mohd Muslim Ahmad, they are wiser this time.
“It was a painful lesson ... especially to lose in stoppage time (when national midfielder Mohd Hafiz Kamal struck the killer blow),” said Muslim.
“We did well to hold them 1-1 at home but all the hard work went up in smoke in the return leg in Kuantan. We conceded a goal in stoppage time and lost 2-1.”
Police believe they are now better prepared to face Pahang in the first-leg of the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on Friday.
“We admit that Pahang are the better side ... they proved it by winning the FA Cup this season (defeating Felda United 2-1 in the final). They have a compact side and will make it difficult for us again. We are wiser now and we intend to make them pay this time,” said Muslim.
He could be right – Police do have a formidable strike force.
Their hitmen – Ali Ashfaq of Maldives, Charles Chad of Brazil and national ace Bobby Gonzalez – have struck a whopping 50 goals this season and played an instrumental role in helping Police lift this season’s Premier League crown with one match to spare.
It was their second Premier League triumph since 2007.
Police collected 52 points – five ahead of second-placed Felda United. Both teams will play in the Super League next season.
The other notable players in the Police squad are defender Rafael Souza Novais of Brazil and midfielder Mohamadou Sumareh of Zambia.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
