Kids gang up to attack Sathianathan

PETALING JAYA: It’s no child’s play being the coach of Selangor as B. Sathianathan (pic) found out.

The Red Giants are under tremendous pressure as they are still winless after four matches and Sathianathan has been the target of disgruntled fans’ abuse in social media.

Sathianathan said he is not too worried with his team as he is confident they will end their bad run soon but his biggest concern is satisfying the fans.

“The power of social media and the keyboard warriors are at play here ... 12- and 13-year-olds using vulgar words in their comments,” said Sathianathan.

“I spoke to one of the 12-year-old boys and he later apologised to me. As coach I need to be professional and I’m used to being hated and loved. This happened to me in Kelantan too.

“I’m here to stabilise the team. We have a number of new faces so we need time and I’m still confident we can deliver a silverware this season.”

The former national team coach recently signed former Kedah midfielder Sandro Mendonca after axing Grenadian Antonio German.

He also roped in former international midfielder Khyril Muhymeen Zambri and brought in leftback Fandi Othman on loan from PKNS.

But the 60-year-old coach hopes the 1-1 draw with Pahang last week will be the turning point for Selangor ahead of their big match against champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Shah Alam Stadium on Friday.

“I want to give JDT a hard time at our homeground. We didn’t have our regulars against Pahang and we almost got full points from that game.”