Eyes on the ball: Selangor’s Quentin Cheng in action during the match against Kedah. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: It has been a tough week for Selangor, but the three points gained at the Darul Aman Stadium goes a long way for interim coach Abdi Hassan.
Abdi, who replaced head coach Nidzam Jamil following the latter’s resignation earlier this week, got his first win at the helm when the Red Giants won 1-0 away against Kedah on Saturday.
Abdi admitted that it had been a tough week for the club following Nidzam’s sudden departure, but the support shown for the team had been immense.
“It has been a tough week for us, and my job is to assist the team as interim coach following the management’s instructions,” he said.
“I have to say thank you to the fans who travelled far to watch Selangor play during this challenging period for all of us,” he said.
A single goal by Aliff Izwan Yuslan in the 47th minute was enough for Selangor to win the match, putting them eight points behind league leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) who have 37 points.
“It was a good match and a well-earned victory. We attacked from the start and controlled the game but could not extend our lead despite many chances.
“We played at a faster pace in the second half because our opponents showed signs of fatigue. But I’m happy and the players deserve the three points,” said Abdi.
But times are harder for Kedah, who aren’t just battling to stay afloat in the league but are dealing with salary arrears.
Head coach Nafuzi Zain seemed to have grown disheartened by the internal issues faced by the team, and admited patience was wearing thin within the squad.
“In a situation like this, the players and staff can barely hold on because we don’t know when the issues will be resolved,” said Nafuzi.
“As a coach, this is challenging, and I have to acknowledge the players who have remained loyal with the team.
“We lacked preparation, especially in terms of fitness as the opposition had the upper hand during the match, even though our players did their best,” said Nafuzi.
The Canaries are 10th in the league table with 13 points, with Kuala Lumpur ahead by a single point, while Penang is in 11th with 11 points.
