KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur (KL) Rovers Coach Wan Mustaffa Wan Ismail is determined to see his charges put up a fight when they play heavyweights Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the opening round of the Malaysia Cup tomorrow (Oct 20).
KL Rovers who were the runners-up of the A1 Semi-Pro League in 2022 and 2023, are making only their second appearance in the Malaysia Cup.
Wan Mustaffa expects an uphill battle against the Southern Tigers, who have dominated Malaysian football over the past decade. They will face-off at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in the first leg tomorrow.
"My players have worked hard to qualify for the Malaysia Cup and deserve to play JDT, who are one of the strongest teams in Asia," said Wan Mustaffa.
"We know that there is a huge gap in quality - like heaven and earth - but having said that we have players such as Gopi Rizki, Syamim Yahya and Amer Saidin who have won titles in the M-League.
"I believe they can guide the other players in the squad.
"The reality is that we will likely be on a damage control mission. We will be playing a team which is used to high intensity matches, any mistakes we make could be fatal.
"But still, we will not park the bus. We have to be brave and go all out."
The Southern Tigers have recalled their key players - Arif Aiman Hanapi, Matthew Davies, and Feroz Baharudin - from national duty for the Malaysia Cup match and they are expected to run riot against KL Rovers.
In their Malaysia Cup debut last year, KL Rovers were thrashed 7-0 by Terengganu on aggregate in the first round.
Malaysia Cup fixtures, first round, 1st leg:
Wednesday (Nov 20)
KL Rovers v JDT
(Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, 6pm)
Thursday (Nov 21)
Penang v Kuching City
(City Stadium, 8.30pm)
Friday (No 22)
Kedah v KL City
(Darul Aman Stadium, 9pm)
Kelantan Darul Naim v Perak
(MBPJ Stadium, 9pm)
Saturday (Nov 23)
PT Athletics v Sabah
(KLFA Stadium, 5pm)
Sri Pahang v Selangor
(Temerloh City Council Stadium, 8.30pm)
Melaka v Terengganu
(Hang Jebat Stadium, 9pm)
Sunday (Nov 24)
N. Sembilan v Police
(Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Paroi, 9pm)