Selangor coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim insisted he could not understand Sarawak’s negative tactics following the scoreless draw in a Super League match in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
“Sarawak came here to play for a draw. They defended and only depended on counter-attacks.
They treated the match like it was a final,” said a furious Irfan.
“Somehow I knew before the match that they were going to defend for the whole match and I was right. They had no imagination.
“Anyway, I am also angry with my players for wasting chances. We should have won easily.”
Selangor played a 4-5-1 formation with captain Amri Yahyah as the sole striker supported by flankers Fitri Shazwan Raduwan and Amirulhadi Zainal along with midfielders Safiq Rahim, K. Gurusamy and Bunyamin Umar.
Sarawak coach Robert Alberts opted for an all-local line-up leaving Cameroon-born defensive midfielder Guy Bwele on the bench.
The hosts dominated proceedings after half-an-hour and created at least 10 goal-scoring opportunities but none of their players could put one past Sarawak goalkeeper Sani Anuar Kamsani.
Sarawak had decent chances but Selangor’s backline, led by Lebanese international Ramez Jamal Dayoub, did well to deny them.
“We need a quality goal poacher. Foreign strikers will be on trial and, hopefully, one of them will be good enough for a contract,” added Irfan.
Alberts, meanwhile, defended his team’s tactics.
“Irfan can say whatever he wants. We came here for a good result and we managed one,” said Alberts.
“A team do not need to play beautiful football to earn desired results. Yes, I told my boys to play cautiously and that is what they did. We had to play defensively as we were up against a good team. Their hard work paid off.”
Sarawak are on the lookout for a striker to beef up their attack. Cameroon striker Kalle Sone, who they signed for the season is injured.
Alberts said several players were due to arrive in Kuching for trials.
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