Football
ESPN staff 6y

Perak aim for another victory over JDT in Malaysia Cup semifinals

Perak goalkeeper Hafizul Hakim is taking aim at Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), as his club target another home win over the Southeast Asian giants in the Malaysia Cup semifinal, first leg on Sunday.

Back in February, Perak stunned JDT by beating them 2-1 in a Malaysia Super League (MSL) clash. Now, Mehmet Durakovic's side are hoping for a famous double in their bid to reach the Malaysia Cup final for the first time since 2007.

But Hafizul insists his team should forget about the earlier victory, and focus on the task at hand. He has also warned that a good result at home will be vital as MSL champions JDT will present a much tougher challenge on their own patch.

"This is a different game and we cannot look at past results," Hafizul told The Star. "We will go into the game believing that JDT can be beaten.

"I know all eyes will be on us to keep a clean slate. We are aware that it will be more difficult to play JDT in their own backyard. So, we'll need to keep our shape at all times and get a positive result in front of our home fans."

Ahead of the final round of matches, Perak are a disappointing fifth in the Super League and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the round of 16.

Hafizul recognises that the Malaysia Cup is the club's one last shot of ending an underwhelming year on a high.

"We have failed in the FA Cup and the Super League. The Malaysia Cup is our last chance," Hafizul said.

Following Sunday's first leg in Ipoh, the sides meet again at Larkin Stadium on Oct. 21. The winning team will face either Felda United or Kedah in next month's final.

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