Perak aim to retain gold medal

KUALA LUMPUR: Perak hope to retain their Malaysia Games football gold medal for a fourth straight time in Kuala Lumpur next week.

The team were champions in the 2014 (Perlis), 2016 (Sarawak) and 2018 (Perak) editions.

Perak are in Group A with the Federal Territories, Negri Sembilan and Selangor.

They will open their campaign against Selangor at UM Arena on Monday.

Perak coach Shahril Nizam Khalil believes other teams will be better prepared for the tournament.

“We started training in April and played about 15 matches, but it is not the same as having competitive games.

“We did not have any competition and withdrew from the President’s Cup this year.

“I pick Selangor, Pahang and Johor as the favourites for the title as they did well in the President’s Cup,” said Shahril.

GROUPINGS

Group A: Perak, Selangor, Federal Territories, Negri Sembilan

Group B: Pahang, Johor, Sarawak, Melaka

Group C: Sabah, Terengganu, Kelantan

Group D: Perlis, Kedah, Penang

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