ALOR STAR – Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC) coach Mohd Nafuzi Mohd Zain hopes his men can do better in their next match against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), thereby collecting points to stay in the best position in the Super League this season.
He said that although the Canaries are in second spot in the league now, the style of play displayed when they met Penang FC at the Darul Aman Stadium here last night was not enough to give them an advantage.
“Hopefully this kind of performance will be the last we see. We were lucky because we didn’t concede (goals)... the players were static, didn’t move (much) or give much pressure, and gave so much space that Penang were comfortable.
“For me it’s important that we win and get three points, but tonight (last night) it was not an interesting match to watch. But football is like that, we can improve in terms of that weakness and hope this (tonight’s) win becomes a morale booster for the players,” he said.
Nafuzi said this to reporters after the match between KDA FC and Penang FC which saw the Canaries beat the Panthers 1-0.
The goal was scored by Willian Lira Sousa in the 64th minute as a result of a curved shot that beat Penang FC goalkeeper Muhammad Azfar Arif Mohd Shukri.
In the meantime, Nafuzi said he believed in Lira’s ability even though some think the player is still inconsistent in his position as a striker.
“Actually, Lira has already scored six goals, I don’t think it’s too bad, but as strikers we know we need more goals, so for me whether it’s an import player, a young player or a senior, I trust my players. I’m not quick to punish players because I know my players’ abilities.
“For Lira, we need players around him to make passes, open up space for him, he is not getting many open opportunities to score goals. I always motivate him and I believe tonight is the starting point for him for the matches to come,” he said. – April 6, 2023
