PETALING JAYA: Brunei are still in search of their first win this season in the Super League, and head coach Jamie McAllister believes the team will make progress soon.
The Scottish coach admitted that several injuries in his roster had hampered the team’s performance in the league, where they sit at the bottom of the table with a single point after five matches.
Brunei suffered their fourth straight defeat this season after Kelantan won 2-1 against them at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan on Friday.
"We have been picking up a lot of injuries and several players have not been fully fit," said McAllister.
"The boys who played gave it their all, which is all that we can ask from them. But it’s tough when we’re short on players."
Kelantan struck first on away soil as Nigerian forward Ifedayo Olusegun put his side ahead in the 36th minute, before Mohd Nor Azam Abdul Azih doubled the lead five minutes later.
Hosts Brunei managed to get one in the net in the 56th minute, thanks to Brazilian player Jordan de Paula.
But Brunei’s hopes of salvaging a draw went up in smoke after a penalty opportunity was denied by Kelantan’s goalkeeper, Mohd Azfar Arif Mohd Sukri in the 90th minute.
"That penalty at 90 minutes, I thought the boys deserved a point for all the hard work.
"But it was a good save from the keeper. It was a chance for us to get a point and start progressing," said McAllister.
As the team prepares for their next match against Melaka on Tuesday, McAllister hopes his injury list would reduce and the squad can be whole again.
"We’re playing in a better league with better players, and when you make too many mistakes, you get punished.
"But the boys are starting to adapt, they’re working hard in training so things will change.
"Once we get everyone back and they’re fit without illnesses, then we can start being competitive," he said.
SUPER LEAGUE
RESULTS
BRUNEI 1-2 KELANTAN
FIXTURES
(All matches kick-off 9pm unless stated)
SUNDAY (SEPT 27)
KUCHING vs IMMIGRATION
(State Stadium, Kuching, 9pm)
