WHENEVER the Kedah FA (KFA) got into trouble over salary and income tax arrears, coach Aidil Sharin Sahak reached out to his players and advised them to focus only on football.
And his hands-on approach has helped Kedah achieve their targets in the M-League since his appointment in 2019.
KFA hit the news for the wrong reasons again recently when a report alleged that they owed the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) RM10 million.
As a result, Kedah will lose their club licence for the new Super League season unless they settle their arrears.
The Malaysian Football League (MFL) will decide on Kedah's fate after reviewing their financial reports.
It is something not new at Kedah as they even had issues settling salary arrears of players and coaches in the past.
However, the players have always put their problems aside to perform in the M-League, thanks to Aidil's pep talk.
Aware that the latest negative news might affect Kedah's Malaysia Cup campaign, the Singapore-born coach immediately spoke to his players on the matter.
"When these things happen, I will tell my players in our group chat to ignore everything as their job is to focus on football. I always remind them it is none of their concern as we know the management will settle all issues," said Aidil.
"We just have to do our own part, train like any other day and play 100 per cent. It is the job of the management to settle it, while our job is to get results.
"I think the boys have done tremendously well not to be swayed by bad news. Although the team have gone through a lot, the players are still focused on football."
On paper, Kedah are the Group C favourites in the Malaysia Cup, but Aidil has warned his players not to take their opponents lightly.
The Red Eagles should top Group C, also comprising Premier League champions Negri Sembilan, Kelantan United and Melaka United.
Aidil's side hope to continue their good run in the Malaysia Cup after achieving their target of finishing runners-up in the Super League to book their AFC Cup ticket.
Import players Rabih Ataya and Kpah Sherman, who did not play in their last five Super League matches, will be available when Kedah entertain Kelantan United at Darulaman Stadium in Alor Star today.
"Lebanese Rabih completed his quarantine recently after returning from an international assignment while Liberian Sherman can also play tomorrow.
"It is good to have them back in the team. Although we were without both players at the crucial end of the Super League, we managed to achieve our target.
"So, their return will further strengthen the team in the Malaysia Cup."
Kedah will be banking on Sherman, Kipre Tchetche and Baddrol Bakhtiar, who scored 30 goals between them in the Super League, to lead their campaign in the Malaysia Cup.
Kedah achieved their fifth and last Malaysia Cup success in 2016 when they defeated Selangor in the final at Shah Alam Stadium.
