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Irfan: Red Giants must stay grounded and not become complacent

Posted on March 11, 2013 0 Comment

By K. RAJAN

 PETALING JAYA: Selangor have finally hit a high note but coach Irfan Bakti is not exactly jumping for joy. 

Irfan wants the Red Giants to stay grounded and not become complacent after the Klang Valley side thrashed moneybags Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) 4-1 in a Super League match at the Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday. 

The Red Giants ran riot with goals from national flanker S. Kunalan (fourth minute), Francis Doe (32nd), Mahalli Jasuli (66th) and Mohd Amri Yahyah (69th). Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (75th) scored a consolation goal for JDT.  

It was a remarkable achievement as the Red Giants managed to score two goals despite being reduced to 10 men with the sending-off of centreback Peter Chrappan in the 56th minute. 

Irfan credited his engine room for the emphatic win which left Selangor second in the league behind Armed Forces on goal difference. Both teams are on 18 points after 10 matches. 

“I expected a slim win but we ended up with a big victory. However, we have to take the win with a pinch of salt as the league still has a long way to go,” said Irfan. 

“I’m pleased with our performance. We scored four goals after failing to score in our last four matches. It was high time to score and my players delivered. I finally had my best midfield combination of Kunalan, K. Gurusamy, S. Veenod and K. Solihin after eight matches and it resulted with a convincing win.” 

JDT coach Fandi Ahmad admitted that they were beaten by a better team. 

“We let in soft goals early in the game. Our first choice goalkeeper Zamir (Selamat) had a nightmare and I was forced to take him off,” said a disappointed Fandi. 

“We tried to get back in the game by pushing a man forward in the second half but Selangor exploited the space and scored more goals.”

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