KUALA LUMPUR: Even their harshest critics must be taken aback. Melaka United have proved the formbook wrong in the Malaysia Cup.
Melaka, one of the most problematic teams in the M-League, have somehow managed a perfect record in the Malaysia Cup so far.
Three wins in three matches. How about that?
Melaka United are top of Group C and well on course for the quarter-finals.
Not bad for a team plagued by salary issues in the past two years, leading to disgruntled players and some leaving the team.
And Melaka were docked three points at the beginning of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Twice, they were punished and yet, they managed to avoid relegation.
However, things are starting to look up for Melaka after the team were taken over by a private entity, KenTeam in April.
Melaka's latest win was on Friday, a 2-1 triumph over Kelantan United at the Hang Jebat Stadium.
And the Mousedeer only need to beat Kelantan United again in the return leg tomorrow and Kedah on Nov 9 to reach the knockout stage.
Melaka, whose best run in the Malaysia Cup was to the quarter-finals in 2006, 2017 and 2019, will certainly hope to go further this time.
"Our mission is to qualify (for the Malaysia Cup) and we achieved that, thanks to the efforts of the players and the management and not forgetting the fans," said Melaka coach Zainal Abidin Hassan.