UPB-MyTeam face fancied Perak in their opening match

 

PETALING JAYA: UPB-MyTeam will face a stiff baptism of fire in the Super League when they take on last season's runners-up Perak at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya here tonight. 

The club won promotion to the top flight after finishing as the Premier League runners-up behind Police. They will be hard pressed to emulate Police, who defeated Sarawak 4-1 in their opening match in Kuching on Sunday. 

“We have a big task in our opening match because we will be up against one of the strongest teams in the league,” said coach Bojan Hidak. 

Not available: Keeper Syed Adney is preparing for the SEAGames.

“We have to concede that Perak have the better team. But anything can happen in football. A draw in our first match would be a good result for us. But it won't be easy. We also do not have our full team. Four of our regular players are with the national Under-23 team preparing for the SEA Games.” 

The four – Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Azamuddin Akil, Zambri Chin and goalkeeper Syed Adney Syed Hussain – will only miss the match against Perak because the league takes a three-week break for the Games after tonight's round of fixtures. 

Hidak added that it would be a tough season for UPB-MyTeam in the Super League. His pick for the title are defending champions Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Selangor with Terenggnu having an outside chance. 

“These five sides look the most well prepared teams. Our target this season is to finish in mid-table,” said the Croatian. 

“We have a good set of young players. The average age of our players is 22 and our aim is to expose these players to the highest level of competition. We hope that they will prove themselves for us to build a stronger side in the coming seasons.” 

UPB-MyTeam have also hired two seasoned hands in midfielders Juzaili Samion and Irwan Fadzli Idrus.  

They have also retained former national skipper and defender Kaironnisam Sahabuddin Hussain.