Coach Ulisses Morais says Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) "believe" in former Malaysia international midfielder Gary Steven Robbat, who scored in a rare start in the Malaysia Cup on Saturday night.
Robbat, a former youth star who has barely featured for JDT over the past couple of seasons, grabbed the second goal just before half-time with a header in a 3-1 win against 2015 champions Selangor.
"I don't like to look at just one individual in a game, but Gary is a footballer with good attitude," Morais said via the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.
"We believe in him because of the quality he possesses. He is an important player for us."
A double from Mohammed Ghaddar, and Robbat's strike in his first start in seven months, meant that JDT overcame Selangor the first time this season to finish top of Group D.
The Southern Tigers will now go on to face Melaka United in the two-legged quarterfinals later this month.
But they will have to make do in the last eight without injured Brazilian defender Marcos Antonio.
"We are a little concerned without Marcos because he has always been a regular in the team," Morais said.
"But we also have other defenders to deputise for him. I thought we could have scored more in the first half as we started well, but it was good to finally beat Selangor and finish top of the group."
"The players were perhaps still adjusting to competitive football after a long break, and we will buck up for the matches after this."
Defeat for Selangor meant that they will face defending champions Kedah in a repeat of last year's final.
Kedah breezed through their Group C to seal top spot with a six-point margin after they dismantled Kelantan 2-0 on Saturday, thanks to strikes from Sandro Da Silva and Ken Ilso
That fixture is the biggest match up of the Malaysia Cup last eight.
Another interesting tie will see Group B champions Perak make the visit to Kuantan to face Pahang in next weekend's first leg.
The other last eight match up sees surprise packets PKNP FC taking on Felda United.
Malaysia Cup first-leg quarterfinals (Sept. 15 and 16)
Felda United vs. PKNP FC
Selangor vs. Kedah
Melaka United vs. JDT
Pahang vs. Perak