Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Malang: Arema Indonesia coach Suharno will be looking for his side to bounce back from a disappointing league defeat last weekend and book their place in the last 16 of the AFC Cup when they entertain Malaysian side Selangor in a Group F clash on Wednesday.
Last season’s Indonesian Super League runners-up head into the clash at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in second place in their group with seven points and knowing that a victory will secure their place in the knockout stage.
But Arema are coming off a demoralising defeat in a top-of-the-table league match at Persib Bandung on Sunday, when they led by two goals before eventually losing 3-2 to suffer their first defeat of the season.
"If we talk about our chances to qualify, then the key for tomorrow’s game is that Arema must win," said Suharno.
"The players will have forgotten the defeat in Bandung, and we are now focused on the game tomorrow afternoon.”
Arema grabbed a 1-1 draw when they travelled to Selangor for their opening game in February.
"We saw them beat Hanoi T&T 3-1 two weeks ago and in my view, Selangor are a good team,” added Suharno.
Selangor travelled to Indonesia on the back of a 1-0 win over Perak last Saturday which sent them up to second place in the Malaysian Super League.
Their 3-1 victory over Hanoi T&T earlier this month was their first win in Group F and kept them in the hunt for a place in the last 16, although their hopes of getting a result in Malang have not been helped by a busy schedule over the last month.
“We have just undergone a rigorous game schedule, playing 10 games in 29 days," said Selangor coach Mehmet Durakovic.
“Many of our players are injured and they are also feeling plenty of fatigue because of all the matches and travel.”
A defeat would send the Malaysian side out of the competition, while a draw would keep the race for second spot in the group alive for the final round of games next week when Arema travel to Hanoi and Selangor host eliminated Maldives club Maziya Sport & Recreation.