How to beat 3-5-2 & 3-4-1-2 formations
If you have been following this incredible segment from the start, you ought to know that Perak adopts 3-5-2 and 3-4-1-2 formations this season. We have seen it in the current MSL 2007-2008 Super League and 2008 Malaysian FA Cup soccer tournaments. You also ought to know that Perak plays fluid soccer and relies heavily upon their midfielders to feed their centre forwards with goal scoring chances.
In order to beat Perak, the opposing team must contain and neutralize their midfielders, the source of all incoming feed for their two centre forwards. Take a look at the diagram shown down below.
The great local coach who shared this tip with me highlighted that Perak has 4 dangerous feeders (midfielders). Personally, I don’t find Ahmad Shahrul Azhar as dangerous but just listen to what this great local coach had to say. Ahmad Shahrul Azhar is a central midfielder that also acts as Perak’s attacking midfielder or third striker. The great local coach considers him a menace whenever he moves forward and assists centre forwards upfront. Like what I have said, I don’t find Ahmad Shahrul Azhar as dangerous but I do acknowledge the fact that he has the knack of creating delicate through passes that benefits centre forwards.
Perak also relies quite heavily on Hardi Jaafar. Hardi Jaafar has the incredible ability of delivering accurate long passes, long through passes and long balls to the centre forwards. He is Perak’s main weapon in launching fast counter attacks! As a Perak soccer fan, I’m in awed of his incredible ability, reminding me of Azizol Abu Hanifah, a legendary Perak soccer player in the late 80s.
To cut it short, to beat Perak the opposing team must paralyze their feeders/midfielders. Don’t expect me to explain how to do that, soccer coaches from the opposing teams should know what to do. Ask your midfielders to play physical soccer and steal possession of the ball early, from right in the center of the field. Control the center of the field and you will have Perak in your hands, wings clipped like a roasted duck.
By the way, don’t forget to tell your defenders to mark and shadow Perak‘s two centre forwards for the whole 90 minutes. They are not as dangerous, as fast or as prolific as Safee Sali of Selangor or Marlon Alex James of Kedah but they can score opportunistic goals in the penalty box area.
Good luck, soccer coaches out there!
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