New Sabah Times
By FRANCIS XAVIER
KOTA KINABALU: Tambadau have been handed an easy draw in the second round of the FA Cup challenge that was conducted in the national capital on Monday.
They have been drawn to take on minnows Kelantan United FC in the knockout competition.
The high-riding Tambadau, who currently occupy second spot in the 11-team Premier League standings, will be away to the amateur side.
The match will be played either on April 2 or 3.
Tambadau team manager Henry Saimpon when contacted said that they are okay with the draw while declaring their readiness to go as far as possible in the competition.
“The FA Cup is a different ball game compared to the league because it is being played in a knockout format. For that, every match we play will be like a final match,” said Henry, while adding that they will take one match at a time whether it is league matches or the FA Cup.
On their amateur opponents, he said they will not take any of their opponents lightly, including Kelantan United FC, who will be featuring in the M3 League.
“But based on our current form, we are quite confident of making it at least into the next round,” he said. Kelantan United FC clinched their ticket into the second round after registering two impressive wins over their opponents in the preliminary round and first round.
In the preliminary round, or rather qualification round, they routed Southern FC 4-1 in a match played at the Padang Astaka Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu on February 16.
In the first round, they went on the rampage by demolishing MPKJ FC 8-0 at the MMU Stadium in Cyber Jaya, thus giving Tambadau head coach Jelius Ating a slight concern.
Last year, Tambadau were ousted by Johor Darul Ta’zim after being edged 2-1 in the second round that was played at the Likas Stadium.
Now, expectations are high for them to go at least beyond the second round, after being drawn to take on FA Cup debutantes Kelantan United FC.
For the record, Tambadau last won the Cup in 1995.
They were also three times finalists in 1993, 1994 and 1998. Meanwhile, defending champions Pahang, who defeated Selangor 2-0 in last year’s final, have been drawn to take on another amateur side, PIB FC while Selangor will face Kelantan.
A total of 30 teams will be involved in the second round while Johor Darul Ta’zim are the only team to receive a third-round bye.
