Calderon embraces Kuching noise as Kitchee target victory

KUCHING: Kitchee SC head coach, Inigo Calderon is relishing the prospect of a noisy reception in Kuching as his side prepare to face Kuching City FC in ACL2 on Thursday night (Oct 15).

Calderon said the atmosphere was part of what made continental football special, adding that he welcomed the pressure of playing in front of a passionate home crowd rather than viewing it as a disadvantage.

“When I was a player, I was dreaming for this kind of games, and for me as a coach, the same.

“I will embrace the pressure tomorrow, I will embrace the noise, and hopefully there are a lot of fans making noise because I love that,” he said during the pre-match press conference at Stadium Taha Ariffin today.

The Spanish coach acknowledged that playing away presented a different challenge for Kitchee, who were preparing for their first away match of the campaign, but said his team would seek to impose their style of play while adapting to the conditions in Kuching.

Calderon also recognised Kuching City’s strength at home and the difficulty of predicting their line-up because of frequent changes, but said Kitchee would focus on their own approach while remaining alert to the opposition’s threats.

Despite missing several key players, Calderon said he maintained a strong belief in his squad, with the availability of players such as Dudu and Yumemi Kanda to be decided closer to kick-off as both worked to be ready for the match.

He also thanked Kuching’s people for their hospitality since the team’s arrival, praising the assistance provided by local staff and saying he hoped the travelling supporters and players alike would have a memorable occasion.