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MELAKA: Melaka coach Zainal Abidin Hassan is demanding for absolute focus as they gear up to face Pahang in the third round of Super League matches at the Hang Jebat Stadium this Saturday.
For Zainal, Pahang are an experienced and mature side who will be difficult visitors to play against, hence why he insists that his players must really focus on each and every movement of the ball and their opponents if they are to emerge victorious.
According to him, his players that will be fielded must avoid making any unnecessary mistakes at all costs and close down on any open space which can be exploited by the visitors apart from playing a smooth and fluid game without losing out on possession.
Zainal expects an exciting and highly entertaining clash on the cards as both sides are highly motivated and eager to continue with winning ways after notching victories in their two previous Super League matches respectively.
”We will need to be aggressive and play according to our game plan while avoiding making any unnecessary mistakes for us to have an edge as well as opportunities to score.
”In fact, we must make full use of the advantage of playing on home ground in order to win, as there’s no better place to emerge victorious than infront of our very own fans, whose support and cheering is very important to us,” said Zainal.
At the same time, Zainal is relieved and feeling positive looking at the progress made by two of his players who picked up injuries before this.
He said that 31-year-old Montenegrin midfielder Darko Markovic could be fielded against the Elephants, while left-back Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee is still recovering after being stretchered off during the match against PKNS at the Shah Alam Stadium last week.
Even though Khuzaimi has begun light training, Zainal feels that the 25-year-old Melaka native still needs more time to make a full recovery.
However, if Khuzaimi is able to regain match fitness just before the match, then Zainal will not hesitate to use him in order to make sure that they are able to get the better of their opponents come Saturday.