PETALING JAYA: Selangor have their work cut out for them after narrowly getting past Kelantan the Real Warriors 2-1 in their Malaysia Cup round of 16 first-leg match on Monday.
The Red Giants coach Kim Pan-gon, who got his third straight win with the team since his arrival earlier this month, said the squad need to do their homework before playing the second-leg fixture on Friday at the Petaling Jaya Stadium.
“It was a tough match and we didn’t start well against a tough opponent,” said Pan-gon.
“The circumstances were also difficult due to the pitch, but we tried our best to deliver something good.
“In the second half, we were in a tough position but the team managed to overcome it and to me that was very meaningful that we came through to win the match.
“I believe when we go back home, we can deliver a better game.”
At the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru, Kelantan scored first in the 25th minute through Filipino wingback Simen Lyngbo, but Selangor skipper Faisal Halim put his side back into the fight when he equalised in the 61st minute.
Faisal then delivered the winning goal in injury time to give Selangor the advantage heading into the second-leg fixture.
Pan-gon added that since his arrival two weeks ago, he hasn’t made many changes in the squad, but with time, believes the team will improve.
“We still have some way to go and lots to improve on. From time to time, we need to build the team.
“It is slow, but we are focusing on the ‘Selangor way’, which is very important.
“We have to always overcome any difficulties and be more united. That’s important for us to play better, be in control, and deliver a dynamic game,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kelantan assistant coach Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli admitted that a lapse in defence in crucial moments gave Selangor the opportunity to take the win.
“Just a little space was given, but Faisal knows how to take opportunities. That’s the quality he has as a player,” said Akmal.
“But overall, the players did their best, but a small mistake at the end of the match was costly. We can’t let it happen again because we still have a good chance of making the quarter-finals.”
