Akmal Rizal praises the fight in a 2-2 cup draw

Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli has praised his players’ refusal to give up after Kedah FA came from behind to draw 2-2 with Star City FC in the first leg of the FA Cup last 16 at Darul Aman Stadium on Wednesday night.

The head coach said the level his side reached, and the character they showed once they had gone a goal down in the second half, leaves Kedah with a real chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

“We had aimed to take something better into the second leg, but I am still grateful for a 2-2 draw,” he said. “It is not easy to meet a Super League team that can put six quality imports on the pitch when we have only three.”

Ahead, behind, then level again

“I saw the players follow the plan I set them,” Akmal said. “In the first half we controlled the game, created a lot of chances and took a goal. Then, with the quality the opposition have, we were put under pressure and conceded twice.”

That was where the tie could have got away from Kedah. Instead the equaliser came in the closing minutes.

“I congratulate the players for the attitude they showed — they would not accept defeat and they carried that fighting spirit until they got the equaliser in the final minute,” he said. “I praise every player I put out there.”

Akmal said he trusts all 28 players in his squad to carry the load when they are named, and pointed to the bench as proof: Muhammad Zhafir came on to score and Mohammad Afeeq Iqmal supplied an assist.

A congested week before Kangar

Kedah are away to Negeri Sembilan FC II at Stadium Tampin on Sunday, then back in cup action two days later for the return leg in Kangar on 8 September.

“That is too congested for us,” Akmal said. “I expect wholesale changes for the Negeri Sembilan match to rest players for the second leg.”

“So I hope the players who have not featured in the last two matches are ready to go against Negeri Sembilan, and the ones who have played in those two will be fresher for the FA Cup return.”