By ERIC SAMUEL

 PETALING JAYA: The Pahang football team are in a state of shock and ecstasy. 

For a team who grabbed the last spot to make it to the Super League via the playoffs, the Elephants are now looking down on the other 11 teams after collecting the maximum six points from two matches. 

“We were fighting for survival last season and now we are leading the table. Who would expect us to be leading the league now and ahead of the giants after two matches,” said coach Dollah Salleh.  

“I hope the players don’t get big-headed with all the media attention. In fact, I am a bit uncomfortable and hope they don’t get carried away,” added the former international. 

The Elephants started the season with a big bang. They came from behind to edge star-studded Johor Darul Takzim 3-2 in the opening match in Kuantan last week. In the next game, Pahang edged Felda United 1-0. They top the standings ahead of Lions XII on goal difference. 

All the other top guns – Armed Forces, Johor DT, Kelantan, Perak, Selangor and T-Team – are tied on three points each. 

Dollah said he was happy with the team’s performance but felt that the top spot would put them under undue pressure. 

“We have a young team and they don’t have the experience to handle situations like this. The expectations for the team are now high. I have reminded them that the season has just begun and we have a long way to go in the competition,” said Dollah. 

Pahang’s next test is against Negri Sembilan at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan tomorrow. The Elephants will again be banking on exciting flankers R. Gopinathan and R. Surendran and strikers Mohd Fauzi Roslan and Azamuddin Akil to get the goals.

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