KUANTAN: Although Sri Pahang FC managed to record a 1-0 victory over Perak FC in theIr Super League match at home yesterday, head coach Fandi Ahmad felt his squad’s performance was still below par.
Fandi said the frontlne of the squad still needs to be improved because in yesterday’s game many scoring opportunities in front of the opponent’s goal were wasted.
“After taking the lead, the midfield didn’t bring the ball forward instead they stayed back … we should have when we get the ball, we must keep putting pressure (on the opponents).
“In the last minutes, when we wanted to dominate the game too much, we played more at the back which actually endangered Sri Pahang’s goal,” he told reporters after the match at the Darul Makmur Stadium here..
The Elephants’ import striker Sherman emerged as the team’s hero when he beat the opposing goalkeeper T Shaheeswaran in the 55th minute.
Acknowledging his team’s weakness, Fandi said such a pattern of play should be avoided in upcoming matches, especially when they are only leading by one goal.
“Overall, the first half game saw us making a lot of long passes while the second half we dominated the game with more control of the ball at our feet.
“Anyway, I admit that it is really difficult to face a team that uses a 5-4-1 or 3-4-3 formation because there is a big obstacle there that requires smarter players to penetrate the opponent’s defence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Perak FC coach V. Saravanan described his men as being unlucky in yesterday’s match, despite showing good discipline, effort and enthusiasm on the field.
“Apart from luck, we need to have the quality to do a ‘killer’ finish like Sri Pahang where they got a chance and managed to score a goal.
“This is a process for Perak FC and I am confident that if they can keep playing well like today (yesterday) we can record a victory and improve our position in the Super League,” he said. – BERNAMA
