PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur’s assistant coach Ishak Kunju faces a tough challenge of dealing with an injury-plagued side as he takes temporary charge for their FA Cup quarter-final first-leg clash against Brunei today.
Ishak was handed the responsibility after coach Datuk Dollah Salleh had to leave for Johor Baru to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral.
Dollah had been at the airport with the KL squad before their departure for Brunei when he received the news about his mother-in-law’s passing yesterday.
“To ensure that the team are ready, assistant coach Ishak Kunju has been entrusted with the task as head coach and will lead the team against Brunei,” the club said in a statement.
Ishak’s task at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in a crucial cup tie has been made even more difficult by a lengthy injury list.
Midfielder Zhafri Yahya is among the players unavailable, as well as Kenny Pallraj and Gary Steven Robbat, who also picked up injuries, while several of their international signings are also sidelined.
The absences come at a difficult time for KL, who face a Brunei side enjoying strong momentum after eliminating Terengganu in the round of 16.
Brunei’s Miguel Oliveira and Jordan Murray will also pose a major threat for the City Boys as both players played important roles in their 5-4 aggregate win over Terengganu.
Kuala Lumpur entered the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by narrow margins after beating Perak 1-0 on aggregate following a 0-0 second leg.
