Football
Nicolas Anil 7y

Selangor to blood youngsters in Malaysia Cup due to limited resources

Cash-strapped Selangor may use the 2017 Malaysia Cup to blood youngsters after an opening 1-1 draw with second-tier Terengganu exposed their thin squad.

The 33-time champions went ahead through Spanish forward Rufino Segovia just before the break at Selayang Stadium, but were forced to share the spoils after an Issey Nakajima-Farran penalty in the second half.

With a Group C game away to Sarawak on Saturday, head coach P. Maniam admits that resources are being stretched.

"We are running on limited resources, and I may look to bring in some President Cup players after this," Maniam told ESPN FC.

"We do not have a big squad, so I will manage the players on a rotation basis. We have another big game coming up against Sarawak, and I will need to bring enough fresh legs for that tough game.

"We did create plenty of chances to score more than one goal, but our final product is still lacking. But I am happy with our overall performance, with Andik [Vermansyah] and Doe doing well in the attacking third."

The 2015 champions will have little time to rest ahead of their flight to Kuching later this week. Sarawak will be looking to bounce back after suffering a 4-0 loss away to Malaysia Super League (MSL) champions Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Terengganu coach Irfan Bakti, meanwhile, thanked his T-Team counterpart Rahmad Darmawan for insights into Selangor's style of play.

T-Team lost 4-2 to P. Maniam's side in the MSL just four days earlier.

"I want to thank Rahmad for giving us important information on Selangor. I didn't really know how they play, because they are in the top fight. The players did well to follow instructions and take home a point," Irfan said.

"We as a Premier League team, should show progress in every game, regardless of our opposition. We will get enough rest before we play JDT after this."

Kedah midfielder Baddrol Bakhtiar dedicated his goal to his birthday-celebrating wife Nur Izyan after propelling the defending champions to a 2-0 win over Melaka United in Group C.

Baddrol was missing from the 3-2 loss to Perak in the MSL last Saturday, but his presence added much-needed creativity to Kedah.

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