KUALA TERENGGANU, April 26 (Bernama) -- Terengganu created its own history
by making it to the second round of the AFC Cup in its debut year.
Terengganu Football Association (TFA) President Datuk Che Mat Jusoh said the
team had surpassed all expectations in the competition, marking a new era for
football development in the state.
"This is a pleasant development for Terengganu football and the people in
the state because despite playing in the competition for the first time, we have
qualified for the second round.
"To us, it is a good achievement and I must thank the fans and supporters
for their undivided support for the team," he said.
Terengganu, playing in Group F with Kitchee FC of Hong Kong, Tampines Rovers
(Singapore) and Song Lam Nghe An from Vietnam, managed to collect nine points to
finish second in the group behind Kitchee FC who had 10 points.
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SPORTS-FOOTBALL (AFC CUP) 2 (LAST) KUALA TERENGGANU
Kitchee FC had three wins and a draw while Terengganu''s nine points came
from three wins and two losses while Tampines Rovers managed 5 points and Song
Lam Nghe An finished with four points.
Che Mat said Terengganu who beat Song Lam Nghe An 6-2 yesterday, can go far
in the competition if the players maintained the momentum shown in the first
round matches.
However, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said warned the players
to remain level headed and not get carried away with the success because being
complacent can be costly.
"I am glad that the team has found its winning formula again but I hope the
players will not get carried away. They must continue to remain focused," he
said.
Meanwhile, coach Mat Zan Mat Aris who has come under fire from the fans
after a series of losses in the Super League and FA Cup matches, hopes his
charges would be able to overturn a two-goal first leg deficit when they play
Sime Darby FC in a FA Cup second leg semifinal on May 1.
Terengganu, the defending FA Cup champion, lost 1-2 to the club side in the
first leg semifinal, triggering a major revolt from the fans who called for the
heads of Mat Zan and Che Mat Jusoh.
-- BERNAMA
IB SHI JRL