Coach tells Red Giants not to drop their guard

PETALING JAYA: Selangor may have one foot in the FA Cup final after defeating PKNS 4-0 in the firstleg semi-final clash, but head coach Nazliazmi Nasir insist on reminding his players not to take it easy in the second-leg match at the Shah Alam Stadium tonight.

He said his sides’ failure to finish off a strong-willed Kuala Lumpur in the quarter-finals after taking a 3-0 lead in the first-leg only to lose by the same score in the return leg, was indeed a lesson well learned.

The Red Giants narrowly edged through into the semi-finals with an 8-7 win over the City boys in the subsequent penalty shootout.

“The match against KL should be a lesson for us. We cannot take the 4-0 lead against PKNS for granted as there are still another 90 minutes to play,” said Nazliazmi.

“We cannot throw away the lead again. We still have to show up, focus and concentrate to make sure we finish them off and secure our spot in the final.”

Nazliazmi said they will be ready for a backlash from the Red Ants who will be keen to exact revenge after their first-leg humbling.

Selangor came out on top against PKNS in the first leg, thanks to a hattrick from their Spanish hitman Rufino Segovia (pic) and an own goal by PKNS’ Azmizi Azmi on June 23.

“They are a very good and experienced side, so we cannot take them lightly or be overconfident. We have to keep our focus and play our game.”

“We’ll make it difficult for them to score any goals by tightening the spaces and at the same time score some crucial away goals.”

Nazliazmi is also pleased that his side is fully-fit and that he will have his whole squad at his disposal, including his in-form striker Segovia.

“All the players are fit. Rufino is also playing well and PKNS will try and limit his movements and mark him closely but he is a professional and is mature enough to take on the challenge.”