All set: Declan Lambert (left) and Zhafri Yahya hard at work during a training session in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan. — Kuala Lumpur FC
PETALING JAYA: “Nobody remembers if you play good football, they only remember if you’re in the final.”
That’s the message Kuala Lumpur coach Bojan Hodak had for his boys ahead of their crucial match against Uzbekistan club PFC Sogdiana in the AFC Cup Inter-Zone final at the Sogdiana Stadium in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan today.
In a pre-match press conference before the tournament started, the Croatian said they were only targeting getting past the group stages because they are just a small club.
Now that they have gone all the way to the Inter-Zone final, Hodak said the boys are bent on going all the way to make the city and nation proud.
He also said the City Boys would go into the match without any pressure as all eyes will be on Sogdiana, the host and favourites in the game.
“The home side will be under pressure because they come from a country with a strong football team. My side do not have any pressure,” he said.
“I, on the other hand, will help my boys go all out and get a positive result.”
When asked about Sogdiana, he said they do not have much difference in terms of style of play with KL.
“In terms of league positions, both sides are mid-table. We both love to press and rely on tactical discipline to win. Also, we like to score via set-pieces.
“We have lots of tough and hardworking players in our squad. So it would be a fascinating tactical battle. The pitch is a little bumpy, so do not expect good football.
“But nobody remembers who played good football. They only remember the ones who have gone to the final,” he added.
The Kuala Lumpur boys have been in Jizzakh since Saturday to adapt to the weather and playing conditions.
Hodak detailed some of the players that would cause problems for his side.
One of them is 39-year-old Jasur Hasanov, who can play as a midfielder or left winger.
He has been playing for the club since 2019 and has won 53 caps with Uzbekistan.
“He is 39 but plays like a 19-year-old, he will be a dangerman. Then there is Shokhruz Norkhonov, who is a strong forward.
“When it comes to their set-piece deliveries, they have Serbian defender Marko Kolakovic, who is dangerous with his aerial abilities.”
Meanwhile, captain Paulo Josue, currently the top scorer in the tournament with five goals, said he is not thinking about increasing his tally and is only fixated on getting KL to the final.
“It doesn’t matter who scores. All we want to do is to get to the final. I’m not the only one who can score. There are others like Jordan (Mintah), Romel (Morales), Parti (J. Partiban), Zhaf (Zhafri Yahya) and Hadin (Azman) who can score too,” said the 33-year-old Brazilian.
“The game against Sogdiana will be tough but we have played some tough away games in this competition and came out as winners.
“We are ready to face them. Pressure is on them. We want to enjoy the game and hopefully get to the final.”
If Kuala Lumpur take down Sogdiana, they will face either Oman club Al Seeb or Bahrain club Al-Riffa.
