<
>

Kedah's Tan Cheng Hoe wants to organise friendlies in MSL break

Kedah chief Tan Cheng Hoe wants an overhaul of his side's striking fortunes and is planning a series of friendlies in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) break.

The Red Eagles, who occupy fifth spot in league after seven draws in 12 games, have also found the net only 14 times in the first half of the season. Their haul is just two more than PDRM, the most blunt team in the league, with an average of just one goal a game.

"At the moment, getting the goals seems to be our biggest problem," Cheng Hoe said.

"We don't have players who can finish consistently. I will assess the squad and if need be find us more firepower upfront, while polishing the current strikers to be more potent in front of goal."

None of the Kedah strikers made the top 10 scorers' list as Kahe, Fakri Saarani and Syafiq Ahmad managed only six goals between them.

Cheng Hoe hopes some unofficial matches against teams in the Klang Valley during the five-week MSL break will help the FA Cup semifinalists get their edge back.

"I will monitor our training regime carefully during the break," he added. "The players have done well so far but we need to maintain this consistency to keep this position or move up the table."

Kelantan's new Bulgarian coach Velizar Popov will, meanwhile, look to tighten his defence, which lapsed badly in the 5-2 home defeat to Selangor on Saturday.

"We would not have conceded this many if we had been more disciplined. I will take the long break to work with the defence and get us into shape before the second half of the season," said Popov.

MSL leaders Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), who have scored a whopping 71 goals and conceded 18 in all competitions this season, will not have the luxury of a break as they prepare to host Philippines outfit Kaya in the AFC Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday.

"We showed great spirit and commitment and I am happy with the result. But that's over now. I will prepare the team for our AFC Cup match," said JDT coach Mario Gomez on the club's official Facebook page after the 6-0 drubbing of Pahang.

The MSL will resume on July 15 after a busy international schedule, including Harimau Malaysia playing Timor Leste in an AFC Asian Cup qualifying tie on June 2 and 6.