KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor‘s new coach, Kim Pan Gon, is bent on helping the Red Giants qualify for the Asian Champions League Two (ACL2) this season.
After Selangor‘s 1-0 win over Negri Sembilan at the MBPJ Stadium on Wednesday lifted them to second place in the Super League standings with 31 points from 15 matches, Pan Gon said they must maintain their momentum to secure an ACL2 slot.
Selangor‘s winner came from a powerful second-half header by midfielder Nooa Laine.
South Korean Pan Gon, who previously coached Ulsan Hyundai in the K-League, said: “First of all, I think we should have won by a bigger margin.
“We put ourselves under pressure. We need to improve. Strong, energetic and dynamic football, that’s important. Then positive results will come.
“I truly appreciate what they did tonight. They gave their best and worked very hard.
“I am very happy and proud of our players. This season, we must secure a ticket to Asia (ACL2). That ticket is very important,” he said at a post-match press conference.
In the ACL2 last year, the Red Giants finished winless in their group and got only a point from six matches.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
