By FARIK ZOLKEPLI

 KUALA TERENGGANU: Turtles coach Peter Butler will have his first test in charge of the squad as the side face Indonesia’s PSM Makassar in a friendly next month. 

Despite being in charge of Terengganu in their AFC Cup loss to Kelantan, Butler’s first official match will be against the Indonesian side on June 9. His contract as coach starts on June 1. 

The friendly is part of the ‘Nusantara’ series of matches organised by Astro and Broadway Media. 

Terengganu FA president Datuk Che Mat Jusoh is confident that the new coach would chalk up his first win with the Turtles. 

“It will be a tough match as our opponents are a formidable team, who are currently in second place in the Indonesia Premier League. However, I am confident we can beat them as the new coach has instilled new tactics and fighting spirit in the players,” he said. 

Che Mat said the friendly will be played over two-legs, with the second-leg being held on July 18 in Indonesia. 

“This is a chance for our fans to see how we fare against our Indonesian counterparts. 

“I see it as a good preparation before we resume our action in the Super League on June 15.” 

Although key players Marzuki Yusof and Abdul Manaf Mamat are still injured, Che Mat insisted that the Turtles have strength in-depth. 

Meanwhile, Broadway Media corporate and finance manager Mohd Nazmi Tajol Aros said other local teams involved in the ‘Nusantara’ series of matches are Negri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah and Selangor. 

“We expect the series to culminate with a rematch of the Suzuki Cup final between Harimau Muda and the Indonesian Under-20 side later this year,” he said. 

He added the series, the first of its kind, was aimed at fostering better relations between teams in the two countries. 

“It gives fans a feast of football as well,” he said.

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