Sime Darby
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby coach Ismail Zakaria has warned his players not to get carried away with their 4-3 opening day Group A victory over Armed Forces in the Malaysia Cup competition at the Selayang Stadium on Tuesday.
The Premier League side’s goals were scored by Togolese hitman Togaba Komlan (4th, 23rd), 18-year-old striker Hadzirun Hamid (32nd) and midfielder Mohd Fazrul Hazli Mohd Kadri (47th).
The Gladiators got back into the game with an own goal by Firdaus Fauzi (17th), Irwan Fadli Idrus (59th) and Venice Elphi (77th).
Ismail sounded the warning ahead of their next match against Johor at the Selayang Stadium on Saturday. Johor kicked off their campaign with 0-0 draw against 32-time winners Selangor.
Ismail, the former Selangor FA technical director, said that their journey in the competition had just begun.
“I’ve reminded the boys that we have just started our campaign and that there’s still a long way to go,” said Ismail, who guided Sime Darby to the FA Cup final last season.
“We’ve just won one match ... that doesn’t make us great. Every game will be different and harder after this.”
Sime Darby lead Group A with three points. Selangor and Johor have a point each after their 0-0 draw while Forces are rock bottom after the shock loss.
Ismail was also quick to praise teen striker Hadzirun for seizing his chance and helping the team to victory.
“It’s definitely a dream start for us ... all credit to the players. It was a hard-fought match and our players really stepped up,” said Ismail.
“We got quick goals early in both halves and that stunned them. It made it hard for them to get back into the game.
“Perhaps Forces took us lightly ... but we also got our game plan spot-on. We lost focus as the game progressed but still managed to hold on.”
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