Pahang head coach Dollah Salleh was left fuming with PKNP’s (Perak SEDC) delaying tactics in the first-leg FA Cup semi-final match at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on Saturday which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Still, Dollah is optimistic that his team will make up for the stalemate when the two clash again in the return-leg at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on July 1.
“We will be back at full strength for the return-leg and will have the full team in Ipoh,” said Dollah.
Pahang played without three of their “pillars” in the first-leg due to suspensions. Those who sat out the Kuantan-leg were skipper and influential defender Matthew Davies, midfielder Nor Azam Azih and Singapore international, utility man Safuwan Baharudin.
Dollah was frustrated with PKNP’s tactics in Kuantan- adopting delaying tactics when it came to injuries and substitutions.
“Such tactics broke our rhythm. My players could not get going as it affected our play.”
However, his PKNP counterpart Abu Bakar Fadzim countered and said: “It is normal to adopt such tactics. This also happens in the World Cup.”
PKNP took the lead through Ahmad Sukri Hamid (12th minute) before Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria equalized for Pahang on 24 minutes. RIZAL ABDULLAH
