KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor’s midfield enforcer, Indonesian international Evan Dimas believes there is no easy way to get past perennial Klang Valley arch-rivals Kuala Lumpur in the FA Cup quarter-final second leg, which takes place at their shared home of the Kuala Lumpur Football Assocation (KLFA) Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) night, despite the fact of going into the match with a three goal advantage from the first leg.
He said that the Red Giants will have to be very cautious of their opponents and not allow Kuala Lumpur to bounce back for a lifeline to get to the semi-finals.
"Make no mistake, Kuala Lumpur are a very good team and even though we have a comfortable three goal advantage from the first leg, we cannot afford to take it easy as we could end up being severely punished, so we cannot be arrogant and we have to play to win to ensure we book our place in the semi-finals,” said the 23-year-old when contacted here earlier today (Friday).
Selangor , who are now coached by former assistant coach Muhammad Nazliazmi Mohamad Nasir who officially took over the reigns from P. Maniam earlier this month, were brilliant in the first leg at the KLFA Stadium on April 7 as they comfortably beat KL 3-0.
In fact, the win was Selangor’s second victory of the season over their fierce arch-rivals as they also recorded a 2-0 win in the Super League on February 4.
However Selangor, who have won the FA Cup five times, are ravaged by injuries and suspension to key players such as 26-year-old Brazilian center-back Willian Pachecho, veteran forward Amri Yahyah, 29-year-old midfielder Halim Zainal and 20-year-old midfielder Syahmi Safari.
However Evan believes that they will be ready for Kuala Lumpur regardless, despite enduring a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of Kedah in the Super League just last week.
"We have put that humiliating loss the Kedah behind us, and we must look forward. I am aware that we will be missing key players such as the likes of Amri, Pachecho, Halim and Syahmi for tomorrow’s (Saturday) clash. But the players that remain know what’s the task at hand, and what needs to be done.
“So I believe that if we bring our best game to the field then we will be able to get a good result and book our place in the semi-finals,” said Evan.