Selangor coach P. Maniam believes his side are capable of changing their fortunes in the Malaysia Super League after being freed of Cup commitments, starting with the Friday night encounter against Felda United.
The Red Giants were dumped out by second tier Negeri Sembilan in the FA Cup second round on Tuesday, a defeat which leaves them with plenty of time to chart their dwindling league fortunes. Felda, meanwhile, were eliminated by holders Johor Darul Ta'zim.
While Felda begin their AFC Cup campaign next Tuesday away to Singapore's Tampines Rovers, Selangor aren't involved in the regional competition. It means they have only the league to play for -- until the Malaysia Cup rolls along in July.
"We have a two breaks coming up soon, and that will give me the opportunity to assess the players and formation," Maniam told ESPN FC during the team's training on Thursday.
"I might change our formation, as the team are still adjusting to each other. For now, I want to see us more clinical in the final third, starting with the Felda game. They have a few game-changers who can give us problems."
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The goalless draw against Johor Darul Ta'zim on Feb. 11 leaves Selangor in eighth spot going into this Selayang Stadium fixture.
Maniam was seen speaking keenly to S. Veenod and Ugo Ukah during training. The two men will be pivotal figures in their quest for three points against the 2016 MSL runner-up.
Usually a central midfielder Veenod is displaying a robust attacking game since being used as a winger in Maniam's 3-4-3 formation. Ukah, meanwhile, is a serious aerial threat from set pieces for the Red Giants.
At the MSL summit, Kedah will be confident of consolidating top spot when they travel to play Kelantan at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium on Saturday night. Like Selangor, the Red Warriors crashed out of the FA Cup after a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to third tier PKNP after a 1-1 draw that stretched into extra-time.
They face a confident, fluid Kedah side who look unbeatable at the moment. Their crisp, one-touch football has produced nine goals in the last three games, with new Danish signing Ken Ilso having scored three.
JOHOR DARUL TA'ZIM TRAINING SESSION | 16TH FEBRUARY 2017
Johor Darul Ta'zim training session at Padang Seri Gelam Training Centre. pic.twitter.com/wOISpSQtxC
- JOHORSouthernTigers (@OfficialJohor) February 16, 2017
Reigning league champions JDT will also be keen to start racking up points when they travel to play Perak. The Southern Tigers are seventh, with a game to spare, after their clash against Kelantan was postponed to make way for their AFC Champions League playoff against Gamba Osaka on Feb. 7.
Sarawak will host Melaka United, with the other fixture seeing a Pahang-Penang clash in Kuantan and T-Team against PKNS FC in Terengganu.
Friday:
Selangor vs. Felda United
Saturday:
Sarawak vs. Melaka United
Kedah vs. Kelantan
Perak vs. JDT
Pahang vs. Penang
T-Team vs. PKNS FC