On target: Tchetche Kipre (right) scored against Penang in the last 16 of the Malaysia Cup. — Photo by Kuching City
PETALING JAYA: Getting into the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals is really cool for the Cats of Kuching City.
But their serenity will be severely tested by Borneo rivals Sabah in the last eight.
Kuching City coach Aidil Sharin was quick to remind his charges that Sabah will be a huge stumbling block despite their coach Ong Kim Swee having left for Indonesia to ply his trade with Persis Solo.
“Maybe things will be a bit different now for them after Kim Swee has left, but they are still a tough side to beat. We played them in a league fixture in May, where we lost 2-1,” said Aidil.
“We have to be more aggressive when we face them because Sabah have some physically imposing players.”
Kuching City reached the last eight after beating Penang 3-0 on aggregate in the round of 16.
In the second leg, Kuching impressed with a 2-0 win, with goals from Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre (68th minute) and winger Ramadhan Saifullah (80th).
The quarter-final first-leg clash with Sabah will be played at the State Stadium in Kuching on Dec 13. Before that, Kuching City will take on Sabah in the Super League on Wednesday.
“The win over Penang showed that we were able to keep the winning momentum. I also credit the players for their discipline because we kept a clean sheet,” said Aidil.
“But we still have to do better in terms of possession and creating chances.”
Kuching City are in the Malaysia Cup quarter-final, but know a greater challenge lies ahead in that stage.
The Cats will take on Borneo rivals Sabah in the next round, with coach Aidil Sharin already reminding his charges that they have to be even more aggressive than their two outings against Penang.
