Hairuddin: FA Cup exit will galvanise Forces to win a trophy

Skipper Hairuddin Omar says Forces will now chase the other two titles left for them

PETALING JAYA: An early exit from the FA Cup competition has heaped more pressure on Armed Forces to deliver a silverware this season.

Skipper Hairuddin Omar, however, is not the type to cry over spilt milk, saying Forces will now chase the other two titles left for them – the Super League and Malaysia Cup.

The former national striker, who is nursing a hamstring injury, said that they have to put behind them the FA Cup loss to newly-promoted Sime Darby FC (2-1) in the first-round at the Selayang Stadium on Tuesday.

“We have promised the management that we will deliver a silverware this season. It’s still not impossible. I want my team-mates to double up their efforts in the Super League. We have to be up there in the standings. What is important now is for us to be more consistent,” said Hairuddin.

Forces, who opened their Super League campaign with a 2-0 win over Sarawak last week, will find it tougher against a formidable PKNS FC side at the Selayang Stadium on Friday.

Hairuddin said that they have to bounce back and take all three points against the club side, who have strong attacking players in Patrick Wleh of Liberia and Karlo Primorac, last year’s Premier League Golden Boot winner.

“The Super League has become more competitive, with teams being allowed to sign four foreign players this year. Most of the teams have strong finishers – and PKNS are one of them,” said Hairuddin.

Former national coach B. Sathianathan, who is in charge of the Forces team since last year, will be counting on seasoned campaigners like Marlon James, Bruno Martelotto and new-signing Juan Arostegui to get the goals.