Bring it on, says Fandi

FANDI Ahmad has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup final.

The Johor Darul Takzim coach, while annoyed with Hodak's assertion that Kelantan would successfully defend the Cup, said he preferred to see his side do the talking on the pitch.

"I agree that Kelantan are the favourites and we, the underdogs but in saying so, this also means that Hodak's team will be the ones under more pressure to successfully defend the Cup," said Fandi in Johor Baru yesterday.

The relationship between the two teams has been strained since Darul Takzim successfully lured Norshahrul Idlan Talaha from Kelantan in the pre-season, with the player even buying out his contract.

Some have used this to 'motivate' the Kelantan players ahead of the final but Fandi said he is not worried.

"Talk is cheap as football must be played on a field. Let Darul Takzim's play do the talking."
There is some worry in the Darul Takzim camp though as four of Fandi's regulars are nursing injuries.

Midfielders Andre Rocha da Silva, Safiq Rahim, Haidin Azman and defender Muhd Tuah Iskandar Jamaluddin are all on the casualty list while Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak will miss the final after he was sent off in an MSL match against LionsXII last week. By Jassmine Shadiqe

Darul Takzim’s Mohd Nazri Ahmad (left) trains with teammates ahead of their showdown with Kelantan tomorrow. Pic by Hairul Anuar Abd Rahim

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