PETALING JAYA: Things are not looking good for Kelantan. They are said to be mired in financial issues, and have lost several key foreign players, with some claiming the team have not been training for a few days.
The players are allegedly owed more than four months of salary.
That, however, should be music to the ears for Perak, who will take them on in the Super League at the Manjung Stadium today.
Playmaker Firdaus Saiyadi, however, was not about to be overconfident.
The 28-year-old said the Seladang will have to focus on their tactics to get their sixth win in the league.
“We need to focus on our tactics against Kelantan.
“Even though they have some issues, we cannot take it lightly,” said Firdaus, who has been playing professionally for Perak since 2016.
The side coached by Yusri Che Lah will hope that Firdaus hits his best form, providing lots of ammunition for the wingers and strikers.
Firdaus is known for his close control and dribbling, so he could cause severe problems for Kelantan defenders in Manjung.
Perak have not won their last five games in all competitions, with their last win being against Kelantan, whom they beat 3-1 in the Malaysia Cup second leg quarter-final on Nov 30.
Firdaus, though, said the boys are not ruing their winless run because they have produced some top performances.
“If you ask me, we have been performing well. In our last game against Penang, we were 1-3 down but came back to hold them 3-3 at the City Stadium in George Town.
“Our work rate is good and training sessions before the game against Kelantan have been intense. We are hopeful of getting three points.”
Perak are currently eighth in the league with 19 points from 17 matches, but the player fondly known as Fie said they want to end the season in a better position.
“Of course, we want to be in the best possible position, like in the top six.”
Kelantan are bottom of the league with just seven points from 17 matches.
