KUALA LUMPUR: Penang's new head coach, Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail, has described his side as the underdogs against the Cats (Kuching City) in the Malaysia Cup first round first leg at City Stadium tomorrow.
Rohaimi said Penang will be without Brazilian forward Rodrigo Dias, while defender Adib Raop and midfielder Syamer Kutty Abba are doubtful for his first match in charge.
The 48-year-old former international has replaced coach Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli, who was "rested" last week following unsatisfactory results, and is tasked to salvage Penang season. His team are third from the bottom in the Super League after 14 matches.
"We are going to face Kuching City at home but we are not the favourites. We have a few players unavailable for the match," said Rohaimi.
"Kuching are a very stable side as they have been playing with a similar squad for some time. They have good players and have strengthened their squad with a few players from Johor Darul Ta'zim.
"The injuries to key players do affect us but there are positive signs from the squad during training. The players' attitude, energy and mentality look good and they can deliver a good performance.
"It's not easy to bounce back after a string of poor results as the players would doubt their abilities but I'm here to help them rediscover their strength, and I'm optimistic the team will do well," said Rohaimi.
FIXTURES
Malaysia Cup
First round, first leg
Tomorrow
Penang v Kuching City
(City Stadium, 8.30pm)
Friday
Kedah v KL City
(Darul Aman Stadium, 9pm)
Kelantan Darul Naim v Perak
(MBPJ Stadium, 9pm)
Saturday
PT Athletics v Sabah
(KLFA Stadium, 5pm)
Sri Pahang v Selangor
(Temerloh Stadium, 8.30pm)
Melaka v Terengganu
(Hang Jebat Stadium, 9pm)
Sunday
N. Sembilan v Police
(Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, 9pm)