KUCHING: Kuching City FC head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak paid tributes to passionate fans for their vociferous support which helped the team to secure a 2-1 victory over Selangor.
The Singaporean coach gave full credit to the 5,000 supporters who braved the rain and stayed behind to cheer for their team.
“I think the presence of the fans really helped us. I want to thank all the supporters for staying with the team, even when the score was 1-1.
“They continued to support us, and that helped us secure the 2-1 win. This is a great step for Kuching City, the club, and the fans.
“Hopefully, it continues to grow,” he said during a press conference at the Sarawak State Stadium on Sunday (Mar 16), after the match.
Aidil also praised his players for their incredible performance.
“This win wasn’t easy. We were playing against a big team like Selangor, which, if you look at the history and the table, is an AFC Champions League (ACL) team with a lot of experience and quality players.
“They have a great coach, but we managed to get the result tonight,” he said.
Looking ahead, Aidil acknowledged the challenges of the upcoming match against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) another championship-winning team.
“Next, we’ll be facing JDT another champion team. Hopefully, with more fans coming in and the players continuing to perform at their best, they will enjoy the football. That’s the most important thing,” he said.
Reflecting on the match, Aidil said the team’s performance in the first half was solid.
“The boys executed the plan well, didn’t concede a goal, and scored one. We dominated and controlled the game. In the second half, we were a bit sloppy in the first 10-15 minutes, especially as the rain started falling and the pitch became soggy.
“Selangor took advantage and scored, but the boys kept going. Their spirit and determination never stopped.
“They believed this was a game they had to win, not just for themselves, but for the fans and their families. I truly appreciate their effort and the performance,” he added.
