MANJUNG, March 9 (Bernama) -- Perak FC’s inability to convert chances, driven by urgency and pressure to score, saw them settle for a goalless draw despite their home advantage in the 2024/25 Super League match at the Manjung Municipal Council Stadium last night.
Head coach Yusri Che Lah acknowledged that their struggles were further compounded by the outstanding performance of Negeri Sembilan FC goalkeeper Muhamad Aqil Abdul Razak.
“I give credit to the opposing goalkeeper, who was exceptional. We had two clear chances in the first half and four in the second, but his saves denied us the win," he said at a post-match press conference.
“My players were under pressure to score, and repeated blocked attempts affected their morale, leading to a lack of sharpness as the game progressed. In the end, we had to settle for just one point,” he added.
Despite the missed opportunities, Yusri expressed overall satisfaction with his team's performance.
“Yes, many may be disappointed with this result, but at least we secured a point. Our focus now is to ensure we continue collecting points in the remaining matches.
“My only concern is the long break ahead, which might disrupt the players' momentum. They will need to put in extra effort to secure valuable points,” he said.
Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan FC head coach K. Nanthakumar was pleased with his team's performance, as they managed to earn a crucial point in Manjung.
“We were under relentless pressure throughout the match, but the players defended exceptionally well, especially Muhamad Aqil, who thwarted numerous attempts from Perak.
“He (Muhamad Aqil) was outstanding tonight, delivering a remarkable performance. Even with 10 men, he made several crucial saves, particularly in the second half," he said.
Nanthakumar admitted that his coaching team faces an uphill battle as the season nears its end, with the challenge of securing much-needed victories.
“It’s a tough task to ensure we finish the league in a good position, but I am committed to doing my best.
“We have four matches left, and my goal is to win all of them. My focus is on securing all 12 points,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
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