KUCHING: The real Kuching FA strength, which includes eight former Sarawak players and an import player from Japan, will be tested when the team goes up against the Armed Forces team in the first leg of the FA Cup 2019 at Stadium Negeri, Petra Jaya, here this Saturday (3.30pm).
It is estimated that around 5,000 spectators will see the match as the entry is free.
On paper, Kuching FA, led by former Sarawak player 2005-2008, Ideris Untong, 45, appeared to be among the favourites to reach the quarter-final.
However, Ideris, who was a star player of the Housing Club and Kuching City North Hall (DBKU), opined that this Saturday’s match is a 50-50 match.
“We know about Armed Forces because we have been together in the FAM League last year, most of them are from Sabah and Sarawak,” Ideris said when met by Sarawak Voice in Padang C yesterday.
The first round format of the FA Cup is ‘knockout’. This means that if the match ends with the draw within 90 minutes, an additional 30 minutes will be awarded and if it is still in series, the penalty kick will determine the winner.
For Ideris, his players do not mind facing the possibility of the penalty shootout.
“Yes … we have been practicing a penalty shootout and we are ready to face it,” he said.
The only thing that troubles Ideris is the midfield that he thinks need to be streamlined again.
He hoped Japanese player, Yuta Suzuki, 28, can be fielded this Saturday. The midfieldern is still waiting for the International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
According to Ideris, Yuta can boost the midfield and aids the movement towards attack .
What is certain is that the Kuching FA is further strengthened by former Malaysia,Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor players, Joseph Kallang Tie with seven former Sarawak players.
They are Ramesh Lai, Hairol Mokhtar, Shahran Abdul Samat, Rafiezan Razali, Dzulazlan Ibrahim, Mazwandi Zekeria and Hafis Saperi.
