Badri raring to go

AFTER warming the bench for the past two matches, Badri Radzi is itching to get back into action when Kelantan take on Sabah in Kota Baru today.
The captain, whose armband was given to striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha in the Felda United FC and Perak games last week, said he is ready to shoulder the responsibility of leading the team again.

"I just hope that coach M. Karathu feels the same way too as he was the one who told me that I needed a little rest after we lost to T-Team in Kuala Terengganu.

"My place in midfield was taken over by Danial Fadzly Abdullah and I was an unused substitute in Kota Baru when we won 6-0 over Felda United FC and also in Ipoh when we lost 4-0 to Perak," he said.


Karathu said Badri stands a good chance of being in the first eleven as Norshahrul will be out on suspension after collecting his third yellow card in Ipoh.

"Defender Shakir Shaari is also suspended for a similar offence and we are a little short on key personnel when we meet Sabah tomorrow (today).

"Another defender, Daudsu Jamaluddin, is also not 100 per cent fit and I may have to bring in S. Subramaniam for replacement," he said.

The coach said the one-match ban on Norshahrul and Shakir should be a blessing in disguise as the two players are in need of a break from the month's hectic schedule.

"With nine matches scheduled for April and 10 more games in May, we have to plan carefully to avoid losing key players for key matches."

Karathu said Sabah, who are on a three-match unbeaten streak, should also be considered a serious threat.

"They have a psychological advantage of knowing that they had become the only team to beat Perak who, just days later, humiliated us with a 4-0 drubbing.

"But knowing my boys, they will be up for the challenge and chances are, the three points should ours," he said.