Hodak hopes KL's misfiring strikers will come good

KUALA LUMPUR: KL City have a quality strike force, but unfortunately, they are not firing on all cylinders.

Coach Bojan Hodak is unhappy with his misfiring strikers, who have scored just one goal in their last three games.

The Croatian hopes the situation will improve when KL, who are seventh with 15 points, entertain Kedah in a Super League match at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras on Wednesday.

Kedah, who are fourth with 17 points, have conceded 20 goals in the league, with their last clean sheet recorded in the 0-0 draw against Negri Sembilan on May 17.

While Hodak is confident his defenders will keep Kedah at bay, he hopes his strikers, Colombian Romel Morales and Ghanaian Jordan Mintah, will make their chances count.

Morales has scored four goals this season, while Mintah has not found the net since moving to KL from Premier League side Terengganu FC II last month.

"I believe my players will be able to score in this game. Morales was sick last week. Mintah is getting better in training, and I believe his time will come very soon," said Hodak.

"It will be tough as Kedah have depth. Although Kedah are on a tight budget, they have good attackers in their squad.

"Mahmoud Al-Mardi, Kedah's midseason signing, has scored a few goals, while their local players are also doing well."

Despite Kedah's impressive attacking performance, Hodak believes his men can stop them from scoring on Wednesday.

The reigning Malaysia Cup champions have conceded only two goals in their last five matches.

However, KL City will be without midfielders D. Kenny Palraj and Zhafri Yahya, who are suspended.

"Zhafri is suspended after picking up three yellow cards. As for Kenny, who is suspended for two months, we are awaiting the result of our appeal to FAM," Hodak added.

FIXTURES

SUPER LEAGUE

WEDNESDAY

SRI PAHANG v SELANGOR

(Darulmakmur Stadium, 8.15pm)

SARAWAK UTD v JDT

(State Stadium, Kuching, 8.15pm)

NEGRI v TERENGGANU

(Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Paroi)

KL CITY vs KEDAH

(KLFA Stadium)

PREMIER LEAGUE

KELANTAN UTD VS FAM-MSN PROJECT

(Sultan Muhd IV Stadium, 4.45pm)

* matches at 9pm unless stated