Kota Bharu – Head coach Irfan Bakti acknowledges that Kelantan Red Warriors FC face a major challenge in the upcoming Malaysia Cup campaign, fully aware that his team enters the tournament as underdogs. However, the veteran coach remains optimistic, setting his sights on guiding the squad beyond the Round of 16 and into the quarter-finals.
Realistic Yet Ambitious
“The Malaysia Cup presents a tough challenge, and we must accept that we’re not among the favorites,” said Irfan. “However, our goal is to take one step further — to qualify for the quarter-finals. That’s the target we’ve set together.”
He added that their opening fixture against Brunei DPMM FC represents a valuable opportunity for his players to gain international experience. “Meeting DPMM FC is a great exposure for our players. It’s a test at a higher level, and what we learn there will definitely benefit us when we return to the A1 League.”
Focus on Discipline and Mental Strength
Irfan emphasized the importance of discipline, morale, and mental focus as key pillars of success in the home-and-away format. “The matches against DPMM FC will be played over two legs. If we don’t stay focused, we risk being eliminated early,” he cautioned. “We need to make full use of these two games to achieve our qualification goal.”
Malaysia Cup Draw
In the official draw conducted by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) two nights ago, Kelantan Red Warriors FC were paired against Brunei DPMM FC. The winner of this tie will advance to face either Kuching City FC or Penang FC in the quarter-finals.
Despite being the dark horses of the tournament, Irfan’s side are determined to make their presence felt and aim to continue writing new chapters in the club’s growing history.
