PETALING JAYA: Kuching City coach Aidil Sharin certainly has a way with the Cats. And much of it has to do with trust.
For the Singaporean tactician, it’s something that works both ways.
Even more so, in a match where he had to make seven or eight changes to the starting line-up – which he did in their FA Cup quarter-final second leg tie against Kelantan City on Saturday.
Aidil said that trusting every player at his disposal was the key to the 4-1 win at the State Stadium in Kuching which sent his side into the semi-finals.
“We made seven or eight changes and brought in fresh players. We have injuries and suspensions to manage, so we need to utilise the squad and trust the players available,” he said.
“When you give players your trust, they will repay you with good performances.
‘’Tonight, players who have not featured regularly showed their quality and proved they are still fighting for a place in the starting eleven.”
With a congested fixture schedule ahead, Aidil said competition among the players for places must stay strong.
“We have many games coming up in quick succession, so we need everyone to be performing at the same level.”
Kuching progressed 4-1 on aggregate after the first leg in Kota Baru on Sept 20 ended 0-0.
Bosnian striker Ajdin Mujagic hit a hattrick in the 19th, 67th and 81st minutes.
It took him to eight goals in nine matches in all competitions.
Japanese centreback Yuki Tanigawa scored the Cats’ other goal in the 11th minute, while playmaker Hadin Azman pulled one back for the Red Fighter in the 45th minute.
Kuching City will now face either Selangor or Star City in the two-legged semi-finals.
While Aidil credited his players’ discipline and fighting spirit, he admitted a lapse cost them before the break.
“After scoring twice, we switched off momentarily and conceded before half-time. That is something we need to improve, but the players responded well in the second half.”
