The leader of the Super League Pahang's perfect home record will be put under a magnifying glass in a top-of-the-table crash against title contenders Selangor at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on Saturday.
The Elephants have a supreme reputation at home with seven straight wins and scoring a monstrous 19 goals.
Pahang coach, Zainal Abidin Hassan strongly believes that they are on course to secure the crown in the event that they can keep up their winning streak at home and gather full points in the other two matches against Johor Darul Ta'zim (away, May 16) and Terengganu (home, May 24).
Zainal said on Thursday, “This is a crucial month for Pahang. I think the next three matches will determine the league champions. Right now, it is still tight at the top with three other teams within striking distance of the title.”
Pahang leads the 12-team standing with 28 points and is in front of Selangor with a finer goal difference. Meanwhile, JDT and Terengganu are close behind with 25 and 24 points individually.
Zainal said their quick undertaking is to beat Selangor to whom they lost 0-1 in the first round at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Zainal stated, “The home fans have been a real inspiration to the team. If not for their support, we could not have achieved the seven-game winning streak at home.”
Pahang is additionally showing incredible guns in the FA Cup. They will play with JDT in the return leg of the semi-finals in Kuantan on May 31 in the wake of having a draw of 1-1 at their first-leg match at Larkin Stadium a week ago.
“We have the advantage but we will focus on the league now. All the players are in the right frame of mind and I am sure they will not let the fans down,” added Zainal.
Pahang have an established side and just made minute progressions to the squad who won the Malaysia Cup last season. The eminent change is the inclusion of Nigerian striker, Dickson Nwakaeme who was previously featured for Kelantan.
Pahang have held Argentinian striker Matias Conti and Jamaican defender Damion Stewart. Also, the club’s latest signing is Pakistani, Zesh Rahman.
