SHOPEE CUP: TFC IN MUST-WIN MISSION AGAINST PSK MAKASSAR

KUALA NERUS, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Terengganu FC (TFC) will take to the field with a must-win mission in their match against PSK Makassar FC for the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup 2024/25 at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium (SSMZA) tomorrow night.

Head coach Badrul Afzan Razali said the Turtles must secure three points at home to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

He said to achieve this goal, the players need to score an early goal and avoid simple mistakes that could be costly.

“We cannot afford to drop any more points. We need to collect three points if we want to qualify for the semi-finals. An early goal is important as motivation for the players.

“After the Malaysia Cup match with Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) recently, I analysed the mistakes and reminded the players not to repeat them,” he said at a pre-match press conference for the ACC Shopee Cup 2024/25 at SSMZA here today.

Badrul Afzan said he would be making minor changes to the starting lineup, including fielding Muhammad Safawi Rasid and Muhammad Azam Azmi Murad, who have recovered from injury.

“As for the goalkeeper position, I have not made a final decision yet. I cannot deny that Rahadi (Muhammad Rahadiazli Rahalim) performed excellently in the match against JDT last Friday. But I need to make a proper assessment as tomorrow's match will be different,” he added.

Meanwhile, PSM Makassar head coach Bernardo Fernando Jose acknowledged that his team will face stiff competition from TFC, who are known as one of the best teams in the Malaysia League.

He reminds his players to be more cautious of the threat posed by TFC's quality players.

TFC, who are in Group A alongside PSM Makassar, Dong A Thanh Hoa FC (Vietnam), BG Pathum United (Thailand), Svay Rieng FC (Cambodia) and Shan United FC (Myanmar), are in fourth place with four points from three matches.

The top two teams at the end of a single round-robin competition will advance to the semi-finals.

-- BERNAMA