PETALING JAYA: It’s tough to get up after a huge fall, but coach Katsuhito Kinoshi wants Selangor to keep going.
The Red Giants, who are demoralised after exiting from the AFC Champions League Two and the Malaysia Cup, will resume their campaign in the Super League when they take on Negri Sembilan at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi today.
They will move to the second spot, three points ahead of Sabah, if they beat Negri.
Selangor and Sabah currently have 29 points, with Sabah ahead in second due to one extra game in hand.
Kinoshi is hoping for his players to stay motivated.
“We got to keep going. In the recent AFC meet, we beat Cebu 4-0, showed improvements and potential but it was not good enough to take us to the knockout stage,” said Kinoshi.
“The way we played against Cebu was good, aggressive and we did not give up.
“I know it is not easy after exiting two tournaments, but I told my boys to chin up. I know they are motivated to bounce back.
“The momentum must continue, whether in the Super League or Challenge Cup,” said Kinoshi.
The Challenge Cup is for all the teams ousted from the Malaysia Cup round of 16.
The 33-time Malaysia Cup winners will play Kelantan United on Thursday in the Challenge Cup after bowing out of the Malaysia Cup with a 2-3 defeat on aggregate to Pahang in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Negri winger Hadin Azman, who scored in their 3-0 win against Police in the Malaysia Cup round of 16 second-leg game, hopes to help his side collect three points.
“The win against Police has motivated us to take on Selangor,” said the 30-year-old Hadin,
“The aim is to defend Paroi with all our hearts to improve our standing in the league.”
Negri are currently last in the 13-team standings with six points from 13 games.
