KUALA LUMPUR: There are still 90 minutes left to play but Kuala Lumpur head coach Risto Vidakovic has already waved the white flag in their Malaysia Cup campaign.
The City Boys’ hopes of emulating their title-winning run in 2021 was pretty much left tattered after they were thrashed 4-0 by defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in their semi-final first leg match at the Cheras Stadium on Friday.
Vidakovic was not gentle in his post-match assessment, admitting that they knew the mammoth task that lay ahead even before kick-off against JDT in the semis.
“Our cup campaign was over when we knew who our opponents were. It’s difficult to eliminate JDT in just two matches,” said Vidakovic.
He acknowledged that the Southern Tigers were in a class of their own, and the City Boys’ best performance was no match for JDT.
“They (JDT) are too strong. They are one level above the other teams in the league. We have good players but it’s still very difficult to play against them.
“They are faster and stronger, and we need good players to compete against them.”
JDT’s goalfest started early through Bergson da Silva just five minutes after kick-off. Ager Barrutia added a second in the 30th minute and Oscar Pasero made it three in the 59th.
Barrutia then completed his brace with another strike in the 83rd minute.
Vidakovic added that it would be near impossible to turn things around when they play the return fixture on Tuesday at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
“We lost 4-0 at home to a strong team. I don’t think we can turn the results around in Johor. The possibility is very low and we have to be realistic.
“We have to keep our players safe for the next league game,” he said.
Vidakovic has already shifted his focus to their next Super League match against Kelantan on Friday.
“We have to think about the next league game. It’s an away game against Kelantan and we have to think about how we can preserve the players to be ready for that.
“Because the story about the Malaysia Cup, I think it’s over,” he said.
