RELIEF FOR DOLLAH

Pahang coach feels things starting to fall into place

PAHANG coach Dollah Salleh is a relieved man after his new signings — Canadian Issey Nakajima-Farran and Nigerian Austin Amutu — scored a goal each in the 4-0 win over Kuala Lumpur in Friday’s Super League match at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan.

Nakajima-Farran netted the third goal in the 52nd minute while Amutu added a fourth in the 88th minute after Muslim Ahmad (seventh) and Safuwan Baharudin (41st) had given Pahang a 2-0 lead.

Dollah said things are starting to fall into place for Pahang.

“I am still not too happy with the team’s overall performance but it is good to see both NakajimaFarran and Amutu scoring a goal each against KL. I hope the goals will spur them in our upcoming matches.

“We only managed a point from our last three matches prior to this big win. This encouraging result will offer the players the confidence to challenge for trophies this season,” said Dollah on Friday.

However, Dollah disclosed that he will need to reshuffle his attack following an injury to striker Patrick Cruz.

The Brazilian, the team’s top scorer with six goals, was substituted in the 16th minute after suffering a groin strain and he is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

“It is still too early to speak about Cruz’s injury but based on my experience it looks serious and would require a few weeks to get back. We will monitor his progress,” Dollah added.

Amutu, who had a brief spell with Kelantan in 2015, said: “I am really happy to score my first goal in only my second appearance for Pahang.

“I must thank Dollah for not putting pressure on me to score goals. He told me not to rush things but instead do my best in every game.

“People need to understand that I only joined the team less than two weeks ago and I am still in the midst of getting familiar with my new teammates.

“However, you can see there was better understanding between the new signings and the others today (Friday),” said Amutu.

Meanwhile, KL coach Fabio Maciel said silly errors led to the defeat.

“We lost due to our own mistakes. We are good at home but a disaster in away matches. I may now opt to replace my foreign signings,” said Maciel.