Selangor head coach B. Satianathan had strong words for his players after the Red Giants struggled to a 1-1 draw against Police in a Group D Malaysia Cup match at the Shah Alam Stadium on Sunday.
“This is Selangor…individual play. This is where we paid a heavy price for the stalemate against Police. We need to iron out this ‘disease” to get back on track,” said the former national coach on Monday.
Satianathan is determined to stop the individual play as the 33-time Malaysia Cup champions embark on their second-round matches against Police at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Wednesday. The Hang Jebat Stadium in the home venue for Police.
“It is a do or die mission for us as I see that it will go down the wire for the top two places in the group to get into the knockout stage.”
Melaka United leads the group with six points after three matches followed by Selangor on five and Police on four. Felda United is at the bottom of the table with only one point to show from the same number of matches.
Satianathan was quick to admit that it was a “below-par performance” overall from his Red Giants against Police.
“We did not play to instructions although the pitch condition was not conducive…we should have changed our play but it did not happen. The pitch condition is no excuse for us not to win the match.”
Selangor scored first through their Brazilian striker Sandro da Silva Mendonca in the 52nd minute while Montenegro defender Argzim Redzovic headed home the equalizer for the Cops on the hour mark.
Satianathan was especially critical of Idefayo Olusegun who again failed to mark his man that led to the equalizer by Police.
“I will talk to him on this,” added Satianathan. RIZAL ABDULLAHÂ
