PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur coach Bojan Hodak wants his players to start firing on all cylinders when they take on PSM Makassar in the opening match of the AFC Cup at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras tonight.
KL, the reigning Malaysia Cup champions are hosting Group H, which also comprises Singapore club Tampines Rovers.
“The clash on the AFC Cup stage is not like the Super League competition,” said Hodak.
“We will be meeting a strong team who have a line-up of experienced players capable of putting goals past us.
“Most of my players are playing in the AFC Cup for the first time but it’s not an excuse.
“We are ready to give a strong fight as we want to go through the next round,” said the Croatian, who also singled out PSM Makassar trio Mohd Arfan, Yakob Sayuri and Rizky Eka Pratama as the players to watch out for.
“They have two dangerous import players and are assisted by locals like Rizky and Yakob. This team will destroy our dream if we give them space.
“We will try to dominate in the midfield because Arfan is their key player. If we can block him, I think it will give us an advantage.”
Hodak also stressed that the team would have to put behind their 0-2 defeat to Terengganu in their Super League match last Saturday.
“I hope the KL supporters will flood the stadium for tomorrow’s (today’s) match,” he said.
“We should not dwell much on the last match but focus on the next.”
After playing PSM Makassar, KL will face Tampines Rovers on June 30.
