PETALING JAYA: Brunei coach Jamie McAllister has one simple message for his players ahead of their Super League clash with Kelantan at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan today – cut out the silly mistakes if you want to win.
Brunei are still chasing their first victory in the league after four outings, no thanks to costly errors and heavy defeats.
They drew 2-2 with Police in their opener but have since suffered a 0-3 loss to Selangor, a 0-5 thrashing by Terengganu and a 0-4 defeat at home to Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
McAllister was left exasperated by the latest setback, describing it as a game his side had thrown away.
“We were very good in the first half. I thought we were excellent, we controlled the game, did everything we asked, and then gave away a really childish goal,” he said.
“We were in possession, played back to the goalkeeper, and suddenly we’re 1-0 down.
“In the second half, it was quite even, but again, we gifted them goals. It was individual mistakes every time. We basically gave four assists to Kuala Lumpur and lost 4-0. It’s so frustrating.”
The coach, who has had to juggle injuries and illnesses in the squad, including Portuguese winger Miguel Oliveira struggling with a groin problem, insisted that excuses would not mask the team’s shortcomings.
“Players have to make better decisions. It’s a tough league, and if you make mistakes like that, you get punished.
They will play Kelantan next at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.
“I don’t like setting long-term targets.
‘‘The only target is to win the next game,” added McAllister.
