Sleeping Giants awake
Selangor finally get three points after long winless run
PETALING JAYA: Selangor coach Nazliazmi Nasir is a relieved man after his side’s seven match winless run came to an end.
The Red Giants beat PKNP 2-0 in their penultimate Super League match at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Thursday, with strikes from youngster Syahmi Safari (38th minute) and old war horse Mohd Amri Yahyah (82nd).
The Klang Valley outfit last tasted victory more than a month ago with a 4-0 win over PKNS on June 23.
Rookie coach Nazliazmi heaped praises on third- choice custodian Muhammad Haziq Ridwan and defender Muhd Syukri Azman for playing vital roles in the hard- earned win.
He said the team will be looking forward to a better outing in the Malaysia Cup which begins on Aug 4.
“Overall, I’m happy with the team’s performance and I hope they cam maintain it when we are in the Malaysia Cup,” said Nazliazmi in the post-match press conference.
The win saw Selangor move up a rung to eighth in the 12-team table with 24 points while PKNP dropped to 10th with 22 points.
“We regard the Malaysia Cup as the climax of the league season and this win is a positive sign.”
Meanwhile, PKNP coach Abu Bakar Fadzim said his side were let down by poor finishing and Selangor goalkeeper Haziq made the difference in the match.
“Our finishing was not good enough ... Selangor managed to get two goals while we failed to use our home advantage,” said Abu Bakar.
“But I see that my youngsters are playing very well and working hard to break into the starting XI.
“This is our debut season and I see the team’s performance as a benchmark – our target is to avoid relegation and we managed to do it.
“Our next target is to do better next season, which is our second season in the top flight. We have overcome many obstacles this season and that will make us stronger for next season.”