Malaysia Cup: Tough draw for Kelantan, three-way Causeway derby to look forward to

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Malaysia Cup Group Stage Draw

Group A
LIONSXII, PKNS FC, Johor FC, Johor

Group B
Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, ATM

Group C
Perak, Negri Sembilan, Felda United, Sime Darby FC

Group D
Selangor, T-Team, Sarawak, Pahang

PRACTICING THEIR VERSION OF HAKA

Malaysia Super League champions Kelantan were handed a tricky draw for the upcoming Malaysia Cup campaign on Thursday.

Kelantan, who have also won the Malaysia FA Cup this season, were drawn in Group B alongside East Coast rivals Terengganu, Kedah and Premier League champions ATM.

Terengganu, whose coach Peter Butler was in charge of the Red Warriors earlier this year, are likely to pose the biggest challenge to their rivals, although newly-promoted ATM could cause a few surprises.

The ambitious Gladiators have several Malaysia international within their ranks, including Aidil Zafuan, Azmi Muslim and Amirizwan Taj Tajuddin, as well as Vicentian international Marlon Alex James, who netted 21 goals in the recently-concluded Premier League season.

And Kelantan team manager Haji Azman Ibrahim has no doubts his side will have to be wary in their bid to complete a domestic treble.

"I would consider our group to be the group of death as we will be coming up against our former coaches when we play Terengganu and ATM [B. Sathianathan]," he told ESPNSTAR.com.

"I am looking forward to these matches but it will be very difficult. Kedah are also known for causing upsets."

Singapore outfit LIONSXII were pitted against top-flight outfits PKNS FC and Johor FC, as well as second division side Johor in Group A.

The LIONSXII, who have enjoyed a successful debut year in Malaysian football so far, finished second in the Super League and also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

In Group C, Perak will be favourites to finish top ahead of Negri Sembilan, Felda United and Sime Darby FC, while giants Selangor will take on T-Team, Sarawak and Pahang, who will play in the Super League next season, in Group D.