Flavio confident Negri can bounce back

PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan have lost seven times in the Super League but hitman Flavio Junior is confident that the Deers’ resurgence is just around the corner.

On Sunday, the Brazilian’s strike in the 75th minute could not inspire a comeback by Negri against Kedah who raced ahead through goals from Liridon Krasniqi (7th) and Akhyar Rashid (15th) for a 2-1 win at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi.

The defeat leaves Negri staring at relegation as they are bottom of the 12-team Super League standings with five points while Kedah are sixth with 15 points after 10 matches.

The 31-year-old said his team’s fightback in the second half augurs well for Negri’s battle against relegation.

“Our situation is not good but there are still twelve matches to go. I hope and believe we can stay up because we have a new coach who will be signing new players,” said Flavio in the post-match press conference.

“I believe our local players have the talent while the foreigners are good.

“The coach is experienced and has a good relationship with the players, I believe we will be relegated.”

Negri’s new coach Mario Lemos, in charge of his first match on Sunday, said the team showed improvement especially in the sec- ond half.

Lemos replaced Azraai Khor as the third coach for Negri this season.

Azraai had replaced German coach Jorg Steinebrunner on Feb 28 but only lasted five matches.

“I want to make changes to the way the team play but it won’t work if the players have the same attitude. We are not doing well and we need to work harder because we still have a long way to go in the league” said Portuguese coach Lemos.