KUANTAN – Sri Pahang FC may have bagged all three points at home in their 1-0 Super League match against Kelantan United FC last night but for head coach Fandi Ahmad, their performance was far from convincing.
He blamed this on fatigue but also said that overconfidence against the team currently struggling at the bottom of the table may have also played a part in his boys’ lacklustre display.
“Overall, I am not satisfied with tonight’s performance. I am just satisfied with the three full points. That’s all. The boys were playing to the opponent’s game too much.
“Luckily, there were positive changes in the second half and we kept on pushing for a goal,” he said after the match yesterday.
Both teams were guilty of lacklustre performances with only a few attempts at goal before the Tok Gajah squad’s import defender Stefano Brundo saved Sri Pahang’s blushes with a last-gasp 93rd-minute winner.
Fandi said that weaknesses were also evident in Sri Pahang’s midfield, causing them to lose the ball often and miss counterattacking opportunities.
Meanwhile, Kelantan United coach Nazrulerwan Makmor said the defeat all boiled down to his players losing focus in the final minutes of the match.
“We defended and attacked for 90 minutes but the players lacked the focus needed in added time,” he added. – Bernama, April 11, 2023
