TFC Shift Focus To Shopee Cup After M'sia Cup Defeat

KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Terengganu FC (TFC) have moved past their heavy defeat to Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the first leg of the Malaysia Cup semi-finals last Friday, primed for the next battle.

TFC head coach Badrul Afzan Razali said they are now focusing on preparations to face Indonesian club PSM Makassar in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2024/25 at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium (SSMZA) near Gong Badak on Wednesday.

The 48-year-old coach said his players have bounced back from their disappointment and are fully prepared to deliver a must-win performance on home ground.

"Alhamdulillah, the players are very positive and ready to bounce back in the next match. PSM Makassar is one of the best teams in the Indonesian league at the moment. We must not take our preparations lightly.

"We also cannot afford to lose any of the remaining group-stage matches if we want to qualify for the next stage," he said in a statement on TFC's official Facebook page today.

Badrul Afzan said his players are motivated by the return of team captain Muhammad Safawi Rasid and Muhammad Azam Azmi Murad, who has recovered from ankle injuries.

He said their return will allow TFC to field their strongest team to secure a win at home and make up for the disappointment of over 11,000 supporters who attended the previous match at SSMZA.

"I always remind the younger players to think maturely and show their best mentality because we are competing at the ASEAN level.

"InsyaAllah, this Wednesday we will come out with a different spirit and our best performance as a gift for the fans of the black-and-white team," he said.

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.

-- BERNAMA