Police relies on tactical play to get results

Police coach K. Thaiyananthan says his side have exceeded expectations by qualifying for the upcoming Malaysia Cup.

And he attributes tactical play for their good outing in the Premier League instead of individual talent.

However, he conceded that his charges lacked the edge that the likes of PKNS, Armed Forces and Sime Darby possessed.

More often than not, they had to play to the strength of opponents and not their own.

"But I have to credit the players. It was all hard work and commitment. Their collective approach to the game served us well," said Thaiyananthan.

"We do not have the substance as most of our players are from the police force. But what they did possess is good fitness levels and we used that to our benefit."

Police were the only team in the league to play five defenders throughout the season.

They had to compromise in attack and play conservatively to have a chance of walking away with points.

According to Thaiyananthan, the management of the side never laid down any expectations due to the quality of players they had but he had a pep talk with the players at the beginning of the season.

"I told them we've been playing in the Premier League for several seasons but had not achieved anything. It is not about gaining promotion to the Super League but they should achieve something for themselves instead of not progressing as players.

"The Malaysia Cup qualification was something we came to the consensus," said Thaiyananthan.

Police had been grouped together with favourites Selangor, T-Team and KL in Group D.