PETALING JAYA: Mahmoud Al-Mardi (pic) does not fancy the current wet season and hope the weather will not leave Kedah high and dry.
And the Jordanian is praying that the Malaysia Cup round-of-16 second-leg game against Negri Sembilan will not be greeted by a downpour or even a drizzle at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi today.
Kedah must overturn a 1-2 deficit against the Deer if they want to qualify for the quarter-finals and are banking on the 29 year-old winger to deliver.
But to produce a smashing performance from the flanks, Al-Mardi needs a dry pitch.
“I hope it does not rain in Paroi and the pitch is not waterlogged. That’s all I wish for against Negri,” said Al-Mardi.
“We are very much in the game despite losing the first-leg. We are working really hard to get to the next stage. We are a big team and we have faith in our abilities to get the job done.
“We know Negri are a quality side with a coach who plays his tactics well.
“They are tough to break and will always run you down but we are prepared for that challenge.”
Kedah, who had a poor Super League campaign where they finished eighth, want to make amends in the cup competition.
Despite the team’s abysmal league outing, Al-Mardi has been promising, scoring nine goals in 16 games in all competitions.
“It has been good so far for me but I want to make the fans happy and it can only happen if we go far in the Malaysia Cup.
“The players and coaches have helped me a lot to raise my game. Now, we must do everything possible to get to the next round.
“Insya Allah (if it is God’s will), we will make it happen.”
