After a three week-break in the competition to give way to Harimau Malaya's friendly encounters, the TM Piala Malaysia 2021 is finally returning this weekend.

Selangor FC too is set to return to action, their home match against Kuching City FC on Saturday, 30 October kicking off their series of remaining four Group B matches, which are scheduled to be played over a period of less than two weeks.

While a lengthy break in a competition is usually not ideal, the Malaysia Cup stoppage has given the Red Giants the chance to regroup and take a breather. In their first two group matches, they defeated Perak FC 1-0 at the MBPJ Stadium before going down to a slim 2-1 defeat away to Terengganu FC.

And more importantly, the break in action has allowed a number of their key players to recover from injuries and return to full-fitness through friendly matches, revealed head coach Karsten Neitzel just before their friendly match against Sarawak United.

"Our friendlies are important to us because we have tough four [Piala Malaysia] matches ahead of us. My team also needs to keep their match fitness, especially for players who are back from injuries. Many players who have come back now need playing minutes in these friendlies, and I want the team to do now what they will be doing next week [in the group matches].

The absence of several of the younger first team members too has failed to dampen the boss' confidence ahead of this Saturday, viewing it as their chance to shine and make the club proud.

Regular first-team player Mukhairi Ajmal, first-team members Zikri Khalili, Harith Haiqal, and Sikh Izhan Nazrel, as well as Selangor FC 2 players Azrin Afiq, Faiz Amer, Fahmi Daniel, and Saravanan Thirumurugan are currently away with Malaysia U-23 in Mongolia for the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification until at least the first week of November. More encouragingly, Mukhairi has been named the squad captain with Zikri and Harith as vice-captains.

"We will miss the services of these boys such as Ajmal, Zikri, and Harith in the Malaysia Cup as they have played in the Super League," admitted the German trainer. "But on the other hand, I am happy that they have gone to Mongolia with Malaysia U-23. 

"I am not going to complain about it, in fact, we are proud that boys from our club are joining the U-23 side because it's a good thing."

But most crucially, the break has also afforded time to Selangor FC as well as the other clubs to prepare for the return of supporters to their matches, following the Malaysian government and Malaysian Football League's announcements earlier this month.

Neitzel urged the returning Red Giants faithful to share the club's optimism going into the coming four group matches, even when the going gets tough.

"Earlier in the season we had between 2,500 and 3,000 fans in the stands and the atmosphere was different, they helped us give 10 percent more.”

"It's not difficult for fans, in general, to support a team when they are leading 2-0, 3-0. But it's when the team is struggling that we need our fans the most. We need them in the games, but we especially need them when things are not going 100 percent well. That's a big difference that they can contribute," reminded Neitzel.

While feeling bullish is pleasant, the Red Giants produced the goods to back up the sanguine sentiment. While their first international break-friendly match ended in a shock 3-1 defeat to PDRM FC on 13 October, they bounced back three days later to edge Petaling Jaya City 1-0. More promisingly, a few hours after this interview, Neitzel's charges would record a 2-0 win over Premier League runners-up and Group A leaders Sarawak United.

 
Perhaps even providence agreed with this sentiment. While this interview was conducted at the side of the stadium pitch, a rainbow peeked from behind the rain clouds hovering high above the stadium, perhaps signaling the good things to come to those who work hard and keep believing in themselves!

By Zulhilmi Zainal

P/S: Get your TM Piala Malaysia 2021 match ticket for this game against Kuching City FC here; https://bit.ly/3BnTSaJ