Group G preview: Kedah aim for full points

4 May 2009
Group G preview: Kedah aim for full points

AFC CUP 2009
ALOR STAR - The suspension of key players Khyril Muhymeen Zambri and Badrol Bakhtiar will not affect Kedah’s desire to claim all three points against Hanoi ACB on Tuesday in what will be a crucial tie in Group G of the AFC Cup at the Darulaman Stadium.

The Malaysians are currently second in the table behind leaders Chonburi FC of Thailand with four points and a victory will be crucial in maintaining their hopes of progressing to the next round.

But with third-placed Eastern Athletic of Hong Kong level on points and fourth-placed Vietnam’s Hanoi ACB just a point behind, Kedah head coach Mohd Azrai Khor knows that this is one game they can ill-afford to slip up.

“We made some mistakes in the last match when we gave up a two-goal advantage, so this time round, I’m hoping that the boys will improve their game,” said Azrai.

“And while there may be some concern that we will miss Khyril and Badrol, I don’t think that their unavailability will not affect us too much. “We have enough players in our team who can fill in.”

Hanoi ACB, meanwhile, are keen to eradicate the memory of their 6-0 defeat to Chonburi last time out and keep alive their hopes of qualification.

“We have beaten Kedah and while I will admit that things might have changed somewhat in these few months, I see no reason why we cannot win again,” said coach Nguyen Cong Vinh.

“Chonburi were a different class when we played them at home but I don’t think that we will be making the same mistakes when we take on Kedah.

“The team feel confident and if they can get rid of the psychological effect of the big defeat in the last match, then I think that we have a good chance of picking up the full points.”

In the other game in the group, Eastern Athletic coach Chan Hiu Ming is hoping Chonburi will field a weakened side at Mong Kok stadium with the Thais already through to the next stage.

A win for Eastern would put the Hong Kong side in a strong position to claim the other qualification spot.

“Chonburi are the best team in this group and have already qualified,” said Chan, who has the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from.

“Of course we want to win this game but a point would be very important for us,.

“Chonburi have already qualified but they may not field their best side which would be good for us.”

Chonburi coach Kiatisuk Senamuang is likely to ring the changes after stating that he will concentrate on the league until after the completion of the group stage of the AFC Cup.