FAVOURABLE DRAW FOR DEFENDING FA CUP CHAMPION SELANGOR

PETALING JAYA, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Defending FA Cup champion, Selangor's path to the semi-final looks rosy, after drawing easier opponents when the draw for the competition was held here today.

Selangor who were given a first round bye, will await the winner of the match between SDM Kepala Batas and PKNS in the second round while their third round opponents are expected to be Pahang or Felda United while their quarter-final opponent will be either Pos Malaysia or Majlis Perbandaran Muar. Their challenge only gets tougher at the semi-final stage where defending Malaysia Cup champion Negeri Sembilan, Johor, KL Plus or Harimau Muda await.

Barring any upsets, Selangor have every possibility of facing Kelantan in the final, yet again, just like the final of the 2008-2009 season.
Selangor coach K. Devan said though the draw looks favourable, the opponents cannot be considered push overs.
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"Being the FA Cup, we can expect a number of lesser known teams to go far and create a number of upsets if the stronger teams take them lightly," said Devan.

Devan who guided Selangor to the Charity Shield, FA Cup and Super League titles in his very first season, said defending the FA Cup and Super League titles was Selangor's top priority next season.
The FA Cup will see 30 teams competing in the home and away matches that kick off on Feb 2 and the final is expected to be played on April 10.

He added that the Sultan Ahmad Shah Charity Shield match that would feature Selangor and Negeri Sembilan at the Paroi Stadium in Seremban on Jan 9, would be an interesting and exciting affair as it would also double up as the opening Super League match.

"Our hope is to win the Charity Shield and contribute three points towards the Super League tally, but even if we collect a point, it will be fair," he said.