PKNS FC are ready to dump defending champions Selangor out of the Malaysia Cup when the sides face off in the quarterfinal, second leg on Saturday night, despite the second division underdogs trailing by a goal.
Selangor won the first leg 4-3 on Aug. 28. Although both games are at Shah Alam Stadium, the second leg will be considered an away match for PKNS.
Red Ants' striker Matias Jadue was in confident mood ahead of the showdown, and drew inspiration from his side's gallant FA Cup run which saw them go all the way to the final.
Johor Darul Ta'zim eventually beat them 2-1 to lift the trophy, but the second tier outfit had eliminated Malaysia Super League sides Terengganu, Felda United and Perak in the earlier rounds.
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"It is a big game, but we have come out tops against the top-tier teams this season. Plus, we scored three goals in the first leg, so we are confident of our strengths," Jadue told Berita Harian.
"We are optimistic of creating an upset to book our place in the semifinals."
The Palestine striker, who has 19 goals to his name this season including three in the Malaysia Cup, is hell bent on adding to that tally against the parent club of PKNS, who have conceded seven goals in their last five games.
"It is a striker's job to score, and I will be out to help the team into the next round. But the result on the night is most important, as long as we go through I'll be happy," said Jadue, who also has a goal in six appearances for his country.
The Malaysia Cup provides a healthy distraction for PKNS from the Premier League, where they are chasing promotion.
E. Elavarasan's men sit in second, behind champions Melaka United on 42 points, with two games remaining.
Argentine strikers Gabriel Guerra and Juan Manuel Cobelli, who have contributed a combined 27 goals for PKNS, will be poised to prise Selangor open in this return leg after both men scored in the reverse fixture on Aug. 28.