Malacca gunning for Division One

MALACCA will be gunning for a spot in Division One of the Razak Cup when the South Zone Qualifiers start today at the Batu Pahat pitch.
The South Zone only had three teams in Malacca Negri Sembilan and Johor, and only two will play in Division One while the third-placed side will see action in Division Two.
“As hosts of the Razak Cup, we would definitely be gunning for a top-two finish but it wont be easy.
“Negri and Johor will also be fielding an experienced side for the Qualifier, while we will be banking mostly on youth,” said Malacca coach K. Balakrishnan.
Malacca have 11 under-21 players but will miss five of them who are playing in the Malaysian Schools Sports Sports Council tournament in Johor Baru.
“We finished third in Division One last year, with basically the same players, but will not have the services of five young players this weekend as they are playing in the MSSM tournament in Johor Baru.
“All three teams in the group are almost of the same standard, but I believe Johor have a slight advantage and will be the team to beat,” said Balakrishnan.
Malacca have been training for two weeks and former national player Chua Boon Huat joined them yesterday to give Malacca a bite in attack.
The East Zone will also start this weekend, but after Police and Terengganu pulled out, Pahang and Kelantan will be using the Qualifiers as a warm-up, as both have already qualified to play in Division One.
SOUTH ZONE -- Today: Johor v Malacca (Batu Pahat, 6.30pm); Tomorrow: Negri Sembilan v Johor (Batu Pahat, 6.30pm); Sunday: Malacca v Negri Sembilan (Batu Pahat, 6.30pm).
EAST ZONE: Tomorrow -- Pahang v Kelantan (Kuantan Stadium, 7pm).

STANDINGS

NORTH ZONE

P W D L F A Pts
PENANG 3 2 0 1 9 5 6
FORCES 3 2 0 1 8 4 6
PERLIS 3 2 0 1 8 6 6
KEDAH 3 0 0 3 2 12 0

CENTRAL ZONE

P W D L F A Pts
K LUMPUR 3 3 0 0 14 7 9
PERAK 3 2 0 1 9 4 6
SELANGOR 3 1 0 2 5 11 3
PROJECT 2017 3 0 0 3 7 13 0

SOUTH ZONE

P W D L F A Pts
JOHOR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NEGRI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MALACCA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

EAST ZONE
P W D L F A Pts
KELANTAN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PAHANG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0