THE unexpected 3-1 Group B opening match defeat at the hands of Pahang should cure Terengganu of their Hari Raya excesses before they take on Sabah at Likas Stadium today. Assistant coach Mohamad Nik said it was a case of too much "ketupat and rendang" for the Turtles who were supposed to start the Malaysia Cup campaign as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
But he said it was also a minor glitch as the players should be back in business in Sabah after receiving a tongue lashing from coach Irfan Bakti following the rude awakening at Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu on Tuesday.
"The players, especially the defenders, were still pretty much in Hari Raya mood judging by the way they were caught off guard by Pahang who came charging from the first whistle.
"Our boys started the match on the wrong foot with numerous mistakes including the bad clearance by captain Marzuki Yusof which sailed into our own net to give Pahang the lead in the first half," he said.
Mohamad said the real reason for the lacklustre performance could be due to lack of training during the fasting month as the players were sluggish and disorganised almost throughout the entire match.
"We hope this is a one-off thing and the players better be prepared to show what they are capable of in Sabah as we do not plan to come back empty handed." -- ZAINUDDIN MUHAMMAD
Read more: Turtles aim to bounce back http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/lk12hsxs/Article/#ixzz0zw0NatEE
But he said it was also a minor glitch as the players should be back in business in Sabah after receiving a tongue lashing from coach Irfan Bakti following the rude awakening at Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu on Tuesday.
"The players, especially the defenders, were still pretty much in Hari Raya mood judging by the way they were caught off guard by Pahang who came charging from the first whistle.
"Our boys started the match on the wrong foot with numerous mistakes including the bad clearance by captain Marzuki Yusof which sailed into our own net to give Pahang the lead in the first half," he said.
Mohamad said the real reason for the lacklustre performance could be due to lack of training during the fasting month as the players were sluggish and disorganised almost throughout the entire match.
"We hope this is a one-off thing and the players better be prepared to show what they are capable of in Sabah as we do not plan to come back empty handed." -- ZAINUDDIN MUHAMMAD
Read more: Turtles aim to bounce back http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/lk12hsxs/Article/#ixzz0zw0NatEE
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