PETALING JAYA: Kim Pan-gon is a coach who wears his heart on his sleeve.
After the final whistle, he makes it a point to gather his players in a huddle on the pitch to review the match.
While most coaches prefer to conduct such discussions in the dressing room, the South Korean has made it a routine in every match he has overseen for Selangor, a practice rarely seen among other Super League coaches.
Even after his side delivered an impressive 4-0 win over Immigration in their Super League clash at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on Sunday, Pan-gon brought his players together to reflect on the performance and prepare for the challenges ahead.
“Normally after a game we don’t talk much, but this has become part of our culture. It wasn’t something we planned, but it developed naturally,” said Pan-gon, who joined Selangor after coaching South Korean top division side Ulsan Hyundai.
“After a good game and a win, we gather quickly to share a message and encourage each other as we look forward to the next match.
“Even in difficult games, we still come together to talk about what happened and to remind ourselves to keep our heads up and stay positive.”
Pan-gon acknowledged that the gesture might be interpreted differently by outsiders, but he believes it helps foster unity within the squad.
“Some people might see it differently, but we are trying to build a good culture in Selangor,” he said.
Many have credited Pan-gon for building a strong team culture and resilience since his arrival in January and it has translated into their unbeaten run in 12 matches in all competitions.
“I’m lucky because the players and club fully support me. Our unbeaten run is not only because we are very good – sometimes we were also lucky,” he said.
“Maybe one day we will lose, but maintaining this run gives the players motivation and confidence. The important thing is to keep going.”
With the race for second place heating up, Pan-gon expects the battle to go down to the wire.
“The fight for second position is very important and it will continue until the end of the season. We must stay focused and keep fighting,” he said.
When asked about the current situation plaguing Malaysian football especially with the suspension of seven players due to false documentation, he said: “For me, it is better to stay focused on Selangor’s development.”
Selangor now have 39 points from 19 games to be placed second, just ahead of Kuala Lumpur by goal difference.
