PERLIS can overcome the setback of losing their unbeaten home record on Tuesday by reclaiming top spot in the Malaysian Super League when they make the short trip to Alor Star to take on a wounded Kedah.
Irfan Bakti Abu Salim's side were besides themselves in the 2-0 defeat to Terengganu at the Utama Stadium, which not only saw them fall two points behind Selangor, but also ended a 17-match undefeated run in Kangar.
But the Perlis coach shrugged off the defeat as just a bad day at the office as he looks to guide them back on track.
"It was just not our day. We beat Terengganu away but unfortunately we lost our unbeaten home record to them.
"Now we have to get back to our winning ways as we need the three points to go to the top, even if it is only for a short while because we would have played a game more than Selangor," said Irfan, who is striving to lead Perlis to their first league title since 2005.
But even as Perlis hope to pile the misery on Kedah, who have lost their last three matches, they may have to do so without striker Nizaruddin Yusof, who scored the only goal when the two sides met in Kangar on Jan 13.
Nizaruddin, with 14 goals to his name this season, is struggling with a groin problem and is only said to have an even chance of playing, with Ahmad Fakri Saarani and Firdaus Faudzi likely to start together if the international striker is not passed fit.
"Nizaruddin is only 50-50 whether he plays or not as he has a groin injury. But we have capable replacements in Fakri and Firdaus. So I don't think that would be a problem.
"But when it comes to Kedah, it is always a close affair, and now that they are struggling a little we need to take advantage of that," added Irfan.
Perlis also have goalkeeper Farizal Marlias and defender Mazlizam Mohamad available after the duo were dropped from the national Under-23 squad's tour of China.
Midfielder Amar Rohidan, however, has been granted temporary leave from national Under-23 training to take his place in the Perlis starting lineup.
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