Malaysia Cup champions Selangor head to the Philippines and an AFC Cup match-up with Ceres on Tuesday with a place in the third round of the Malaysia FA Cup in the bag.
The Red Giants overcame the challenge of third tier side Air Asia on Friday, thanks to second half strikes from new signing Patrick Wleh and Abdul Hadi Yahya. They will now face up to Premier League outfit PKNS FA early next month.
"Definitely we want a win and the one [in the FA Cup] is a spirit booster to face the AFC Cup on Tuesday." Zainal said, according to Bernama.
"Undeniably, AirAsia All-Star FC had given us a fantastic challenge."
With a solid start in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) after four points from the opening two games and success in the FA Cup, the 33-time Malaysia Cup champions can approach Asia with some confidence, though there are some concerns.
The coach has to deal with an injury crisis ahead of the Group E opener with Robert Cornthwaite, Nazmi Faiz Mansor, Mauro Olivi and Fitri Syazwan Raduwan likely to be sidelined.
The Red Giants also failed to win away from Malaysia in their last AFC Cup campaign in 2014.
For Selangor, it is important to get a good start in the continental competition as two weeks later, Tampines Rovers, one of Singapore's leading clubs with new recruit Jermaine Pennant, visit Malaysia.
Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) are also flying the flag forMalaysia and looking to defend the trophy they won in November. The champions thrashed UiTM 5-0 on Friday to progress to the last 16 in the FA Cup and in the AFC Cup take on Ayeyawady United of Myanmar.
Coach Mario Gomez praised goal scorers Amri Yahyah and midfielder S. Chanturu after the comfortable win.
"I was extremely delighted with the performance of all players especially Amri and also Chanturu, who netted two goals," the Argentinian said.
The attention now turns to the Myanmar challenge and what will be seen as a good opportunity for three points. "
We take all competitions equally, either the Super League, AFC Cup or the FA Cup, and we must be fully focused in every game."
JDT will also face Lao Toyota of the Philippines and India's Bengaluru in Group H.