Durakovic hopes Perak learn well from harsh lesson in South Korea

PETALING JAYA: Perak coach Mehmet Durakovic (pic) conceded that his team lost to a much better team after their 1-5 capitulation to Ulsan Hyundai in the AFC Champions League playoff.

The gulf in class was evident as Ulsan handed Perak a harsh footballing lesson in the cold 7°weather at the Ulsan Munsu Stadium on Tuesday.

An own goal from rightback Amirul Azhan Aznan (22nd minute) was Perak’s only blight in the first half as the Seladang pushed hard to stay in the game. But Durakovic’s men had no answer to the South Korean side as they turned up the heat in the second half with goals from Mix Diskerud (56th and 58th), Lee Dong-kyeong (70th) and Junior Negrao (87th).

Perak got their consolation goal through leftback Nazirul Naim Che Hashim in the last minute.

Durakovic said the heavy loss is a good lesson to his men.

“We knew it’ll be a very tough game for us. This is a new experience for us – this is the first time Perak have played at this level of this competition,” said the former Australian international.

“We actually played well for 90 minutes. In the first half, we were only 1-0 down due to an own goal, sothat was not bad.

“But in the second half, Ulsan showedtheir true quality and they are in a different class.

“I’m very proud of my players, this is history for us ... we created history by reaching this stage. I think we did really well, a loss is not bad for us because Ulsan are really good.”

Perak will shift their focus to the Super League where they take on Felda United at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Saturday.