KOTA BARU: Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak is willing to overlook the Red Warriors’ profligacy in front of goal as long as they produce the desired end results.
Kelantan won 2-0 against Terengganu in their Malaysia Cup Group C match in Kota Baru on Saturday, but the winning scoreline could have easily been bigger if the Red Warrios had put away the numerous chances which came their way.
The defending champions had to be contented with Dickson Nwakaeme’s 10th minute header and Zairo Anuar Zailani’s sweetly struck free-kick in the 72nd minute for their first victory.
“We did not use our chances well, but I am happy with the overall commitment and performance of my players. The scoreline could have been bigger, but it was a comfortable win as we knew the three points were safe when the second goal went in,” said Hodak after the game.
Kelantan muffed a 26th minute penalty when defender Obinna Nwaneri saw his spot-kick saved by Terengganu goalkeeper Mohd Shamirza Yusoff.
Indra Putra Mahayuddin was also guilty of spurning two gilt-edged chances, crashing a first-half sitter into the upright and then blazing over when put through clear on goal.
“It is normal for strikers to go through rough patches when they do everything right but score. All Indra needs is a breakthrough goal to regain his confidence and he will be back to his usual self.
“This is not a serious issue as we continue to perform well enough to win matches, We are on an eight-match unbeaten streak, and our defence have only conceded one goal in that period,” said the Croatian, who also cited the bumpy Sultan Mohamad IV Stadium pitch as another cause for his side’s poor finishing.
The Red Warriors now have four points from their opening two matches, and trail group leaders Pahang, who defeated Negri Sembilan 5-3 in Paroi, on the number of goals scored. Negri are third on three points, with Terengganu propping up the standings without a point.
Hodak said he was also satisfied with the performance of FA Cup final hero Mohd Norfarhan Mohamad. The former international was in the starting line-up because regular Ahmad Fakri Sharaani was suspended but was substituted in the second half.
“I took Norfarhan out because he suffered a knock during the game. It is just a precaution because the Negri Sembilan game is coming up (tomorrow), and I want to have as many fit players as possible for the remaining four matches.”
Meanwhile, Kelantan FA (Kafa) adviser Tan Sri Annuar Musa confirmed on Saturday that the Kelantan player who tested positive for a banned substance during a random dope test after the FA Cup final has been suspended indefinitely by the state until the FAM’s investigation into the matter is completed.
“The player was left out of the Kelantan squad immediately when Kafa received news of the matter. We are now waiting for FAM to complete their investigation and take further action. This incident does not affect the Kelantan team’s preparation for the ongoing Malaysia Cup,” said Annuar.
The player was an unused substitute during Kelantan’s 1-0 triumph over Johor Darul Takzim in the FA Cup final in June.
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