PETALING JAYA: Veteran playmaker Zhafri Yahya is determined not to let complacency derail Kuala Lumpur’s Malaysia Cup campaign as they prepare for a crucial quarter-final second leg against Terengganu at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium today.
The City Boys head into the tie under pressure after being held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.
That result extended their inconsistent run, with KL managing just two wins in their last 10 matches across all competitions, including three consecutive draws.
Their most recent victory was a 3-0 triumph over Perak in the Malaysia Cup round-of-16 second leg on Jan 25.
Despite the uneven form, the 31-year-old Zhafri believes KL are a stronger and more mature side this season.
“We look much better this year with the players we have. We are controlling games more effectively.
“Tactically and physically, we are at our best right now but we cannot afford to be careless,” he said.
“This game is very important to us. We have prepared for an entire week, both physically and mentally,” added Zhafri, who has been with the club since 2015.
Terengganu, however, arrive with equal determination, even after being hit with a FIFA transfer ban.
The club were placed on the FIFA registration ban list on Feb 9, although no official reason was provided on the website.
It is learnt that the club owe unpaid wages to former Croatian striker Ivan Mamut, who featured for the club from 2023-2024. If the dues are not settled, Terengganu will not be able to hire new players for three consecutive transfer windows starting from the new season.
Interim coach Tengku Hazman Raja Hassan, however, has urged his players to be more aggressive and to maintain their focus.
He has called for an early goal and labelled the clash a do-or-die mission and hinted at possible changes to his starting line-up due to injuries and suspensions.
With both sides promising intensity and urgency, the stage is set for a tense showdown for the semi-final ticket.
