PETALING JAYA: Terengganu’s Filipino midfielder Manuel Ott (pic) believes the Turtles are ready to defy the biggest odds after his virtuoso performance inspired them to a 5-0 win over Myanmar club Shan United in their Asean Club Championship match at the Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday.
It was their first win in Group A, in a match where a defeat would have ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Terengganu are now fourth with four points from three matches, and if they win their next two games against Indonesian club PSM Makassar (Jan 22, home) and Thai side BG Pathum United (Feb 5, away), they should seal a last-four spot.
PSM lead the group with seven points from three games, while Vietnamese side Dong A Thanh Hoa are second with five. Pathum also have five points but are third due to goal difference.
The 32-year-old Ott, fondly known as Manny, said his side are inspired to win their next two matches after a confidence-boosting victory.
“I’m super proud of what this team have done. Now the group gets interesting because many sides are fighting for the two semi-final spots. We believe we can get the two wins to seal a spot in the knockout stage,” he said.
Besides producing a midfield masterclass together with Akram Mahinan and Nurillo Tuktasinov, Ott also netted a brace in the 25th and 63rd minutes in the rout over Shan United.
Winger Akhyar Rashid also hit a double in the 45th and 72nd minutes, while captain Safawi Rasid was also on target in the 11th minute.
Terengganu are now on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, and Ott has attributed that turnaround to coach Badrul Afzan Razali.
“We are looking sharper game after game, and I can see all the players are growing into the competition thanks to the coach’s guidance and good tactics.’’
