PETALING JAYA, 23 Oct – Wounded Perak has not given up hopes of playing in next season’s AFC Cup but it takes a mammoth task on a winding journey to fulfill that hope – to win the prestigious Malaysia Cup.
The Bos Gauros last won the silverware in 2018 but could well play a role in this if the team gets a perfect draw as this year’s Malaysia Cup which will be played in a new format due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country’s oldest football tournament will be played on a knockout basis with the first round matches for the 16 teams scheduled from Nov 6-8.
The quarter-finals will be from Nov 12-13 followed by the semi-finals on Nov 17. The final is slated for Nov 22.
Perak had heartbreak in their final Super League match which was against Kedah at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Oct 11.
The Bos Gauros lost 3-2 in a match which they needed to win while Kedah needed just a draw for second place in the league which came with a place in the AFC Cup.
Perak coach, Mehmet Durakovic is counting on his fired-up team after the league disappointment to go for the ”kill” in the Malaysia Cup.
However, in the same breath, the Australian is aware of the tough task the team has.
“It won’t be easy…this is the Malaysia Cup and it will be played in a different format. That (format) makes it all the more difficult. At the same time, there is something at stake for us to fight for (the Cup which comes with the AFC Cup slot,” said Durakovic.
”The team is training hard and we will do whatever is needed to do to take the opportunity we have to play in the Asian meet.”
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