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ISKANDAR PUTERI – Kuching City FC are determined to give Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) an extraordinary challenge, aiming to pull off a surprise by clinching the Sumbangsih Cup (Charity Shield) 2026/2027 title for the first time.
Although preparations for The Cats were somewhat disrupted by an injury crisis and visa issues during their pre-season training camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand, head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak said the squad's fighting spirit would make for a fierce showdown.
According to Aidil, The Cats have implemented various strategies following the loss of two key pillars, Rodney Celvin and Jimmy Raymond, who had to be rested after sustaining injuries while on international duty with the national squad.
He said the club had been forced to rethink its strategies after two key players, Rodney Celvin and Jimmy Raymond, were ruled out of the match following injuries sustained during international duty with the national squad.
"The absence of these two players is no longer a secret, they are injured and will not be fit in the next day or two, so they will miss this match," he said at the pre-match press conference for the 2026/2027 Sumbangsih Cup.
He said the club's preparations had also been set back earlier when three foreign players, James Okwuosa, Jerome Mpacko Etame and Ronald Ngah, missed the Chiang Mai pre-season camp due to visa issues.
Aidil declined to elaborate further on the status of five loan players from JDT, describing the matter as sensitive.
"They are new players in the squad who need time to adapt with the others. So tomorrow we will see who is ready to play," he said.
The Sumbangsih Cup match will be Kuching City's first competitive outing of the season, ahead of what promises to be a demanding campaign that also includes international commitments in the Shopee Cup and the AFC Club Championship.
Meanwhile, Kuching City forward Okwuosa expressed confidence that a new-look defensive partnership featuring Gabriel Peres and Irfan Zakaria had what it took to contain JDT's attack.
He said the team had been sharpening its cohesion and building chemistry ahead of the match.
"Football is about competitiveness and we are here to cause an upset and write a new chapter for this club and its supporters," he said.