Team Urged to Improve Finishing After Draw

KUCHING: More chances need to be created when attacking, according to Kuching City FC head coach Aidil Sharin, who emphasised the importance of improving the team’s finishing.

On Sunday (Oct 20) at Sarawak Stadium, Aidil’s players left it late, with substitute Hazwan Bakri scoring a deft tap-in in stoppage time as the players scrambled for the ball on a wet pitch.

However, the excitement was short-lived, as Negeri Sembilan’s captain, Annas Rahmat, quickly levelled the score with a soaring header.

“In the first half, we controlled the game, but Negeri Sembilan had opportunities with their counter-attacks. We knew they were trying to earn points from us,” Aidil told Sarawak Tribune after the 1-1 draw match.

He pointed out the critical mistake his team made in the closing moments of the game.

“We need to learn how to finish the game properly, especially in the last 20 seconds. We conceded an unnecessary foul outside the box, and they punished us for it,” he said.

Aidil stressed the need for positivity moving forward, insisting that the team must not
repeat the same mistakes.

“We need to improve as an attacking unit. Despite having a lot of possession, we didn’t create enough chances, and this is something we must address,” he said.

Reflecting on the team’s progress, he noted that it’s a new squad, having been together since March this year, and that it takes time to develop.

“It’s a new team, and we’ve been together since March. It takes time. I’m happy that Hazwan Bakri scored today; it was his first game, as well as Ramadhan Saifullah’s.

“This is what we need to work on as an attacking unit. Today, even though we had plenty of possession, we didn’t create enough chances, and we must focus on improving this aspect,” he added.

KCFC face KL City next in the Malaysian Super League at home on Saturday (Oct 26) at 8pm.