The Cats must turn promise into points

KUCHING: Kuching City FC showed promise in their attacking play against Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC, but head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak knows there is still room for improvement as The Cats continue their Asian Champions League Two (ACL2) journey.

The 1-1 draw at Stadium Taha Ariffin, in Petra Jaya last night (Oct 15), offered encouragement for the hosts, who created several chances, particularly in the second half, but could not find the winning goal.

“I don’t want to disrespect the opponent, but those who watched the game, how many chances we are creating, we are putting pressure on the opponent to score goal, but that’s football, you know, you don’t score goal, you don’t win games,” Aidil said.

Kuching could hardly have asked for a better start, taking the lead in the second minute when Kitchee goalkeeper Pong Cheuk Hei inadvertently turned the ball into his own net under pressure from the hosts’ frontline.

Gabriel Nistelrooy races for the ball as a Kitchee defender closes in. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

Kitchee goalkeeper Pong Cheuk Hei punches the ball clear as Ajdin Mujagić challenges in the air. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

However, the visitors responded in the 14th minute, with forward Everton Camargo finding space inside the penalty area before slotting home the equaliser.

Kuching looked more threatening after the break, with Aidil making tactical adjustments to strengthen their attacking approach and address gaps in midfield.

While the equaliser ultimately proved enough to earn Kitchee a point, Aidil remained encouraged by the way his players continued to push until the final whistle.

“I think now we are in the 11 games total of overall competition, and we do most of the game are rotation, and I think we are progressing.

“The combination play, the attitude of the players, understanding, is getting better and better, so we need more time, but, of course, we need to fix it as soon as possible because every game for us is very crucial,”he said after the match.

For Kuching, the challenge now is to turn those promising passages of play into goals and, ultimately, victories as they gain more experience against continental opposition.

The draw leaves The Cats with one point from two Group H matches, level with South Korea’s Gangwon FC at the bottom of the standings.

Kitchee have two points from consecutive draws, while Cambodian champions Phnom Penh Crown FC lead the group with six points.

Kuching City’s Joao Pedro battles Kitchee’s Asier Illarramendi for possession. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni