PETALING JAYA: Kuching City continue to chart their record-breaking run in the Malaysia Cup by reaching the semi-finals for the first time, and they believe they can go one step further to book a place in the final.
The Cats’ forward Ahmad Danial Asri is confident the team have what it takes to overcome Selangor in the second leg in Sarawak next Saturday after ending their first leg clash with a 1-1 draw at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on Sunday.
“The players have shown that they can make it there. It was just a small mistake that forced the draw, but it’s not over,” said Danial.
“We promise to give it our best. Being level helps us, but we have to raise our performance, especially when we’re at home next.”
Kuching had taken the lead first through Ronald Ngah, but allowed Selangor’s Chrigor Moraes to equalise during the second-half stoppage time.
Despite the historic achievement, head coach Aidil Sharin remains grounded before the return leg at the Sarawak Stadium, admitting that luck played a role in their journey.
“I don’t want to pressure my boys. Although this is the first time we have made it to the semis, luck played a part as well. So we need to be better for the next game. But win or lose, we have to accept it, move on, and grow together,” he said.
Aidil added that the pressure will instead be on Selangor, who have bigger expectations riding on their shoulders.
“Which is the bigger team? Selangor or Kuching? So why should we feel pressured? They (Selangor) have a bigger budget and expectations. They need the results,” he said.
Kuching will first take on Police in the Super League on Sunday, and Aidil wants the team to use that match as a catalyst to boost the team’s confidence.
“We still have a league game to play before the return leg to build on our confidence, and then we face Selangor at home,” he said.
