KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor interim coach Christophe Gamel has apologised to fans following the team’s 3-2 defeat to Persib Bandung in Thursday’s Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) Group G match at the MBPJ Stadium.
The defeat confirmed Selangor‘s early exit from the competition.
Selangor took the lead early with goals from Chrigor Moraes (third minute) and an own goal by Patricio Matricardi (17th).
However, Persib mounted a second-half comeback with a goal from Andrew Jung (48th) and a brace from Adam Alis (81st and 90th) to secure the win.
Gamel said he was disappointed with the performances of several senior players who failed to help the team during the match.
He added that the team started well but costly mistakes allowed their opponents back into the game, leading to the defeat.
“We were in control of the game, but we let it slip. This is what I’ve said before about consistency, continuity and mental strength,” said Gamel.
“We were punished at the highest level, so of course we are disappointed to be out of the competition. We know our weaknesses, and it’s clear that we are lacking physically.
“I think the first half was very good, but we gave them hope. It was an individual mistake, and when you do things like that, you have to accept the consequences.”
It has been a disappointing ACL2 campaign for Selangor, who failed to earn a single point from four matches.
They scored only six goals while conceding 13 across their group fixtures.
Meanwhile, Persib coach Bojan Hodak said Selangor goalkeeper Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman’s heroics kept the scoreline respectable for the Red Giants.
“We entered the game without any aggression so being 2-0 down was probably a fair reflection of the game,” Hodak said.
“After that, we started to play and to be honest, in the second half if Sikh (Izhan Nazrel) had not saved some shots, it could have been six or seven goals.
“In the end, we have to be happy with the win.
“We haven’t qualified so we still need to be focused. It was the same situation last season, we just need to be more ready this time.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
