By ERIC SAMUEL - PETALING JAYA: Table-toppers Pahang are wiser after their previous experience at the Jalan Besar Stadium. 

Coach Dollah Salleh is convinced that his men will not repeat the mistakes which led to their 2-0 loss to Lions XII in their last meeting in a Malaysia Cup group match last year. 

Pahang will travel south to take on the Lions XII tomorrow. 

“We’re going there with one aim – consolidate our position at the top of the Super League standings. Of course, playing on the unfamiliar artificial turf will be tough but I believe we’ve learnt our lessons. We’ve trained and played a couple of friendlies on a similar surface at home,” said Dollah. 

Surprise package Pahang won promotion via the playoffs and currently lead the standings with 12 points. Armed Forces and Selangor trail in second and third spots with 10 points each. 

“Lions XII are one of the better sides in the competition but my boys are fast-learners. They’re getting better from match to match and I don’t think we’d want to return home empty-handed. We enjoy being at the top,” said Dollah. 

Pahang, however, will have to face the Lions without two key players – right flanker R. Surendren and Hafiz Kamal. Surendren is recuperating from a knee injury while Hafiz is down with a fever.  

But Dollah believes he has enough strength in depth to get the job done in Singapore. He plans to switch striker Azamuddin Akil to the right flank and start Mohd Fauzi Roslan upfront. 

Related posts:

• Pahang coach Dollah warns against complacency
• Ferguson upbeat as United end empty-handed
• Pahang bank on Gopi
• Shakhtar and empty seats dampen Juve’s home debut
• Pahang confident of scoring another surprise win