KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — Selangor FC coach Nidzam Jamil said the team’s game was disrupted after midfielder Alexander Agyarkwa was removed during the FA Cup final against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at Bukit Jalil National Stadium yesterday.
He said Agyarkwa was the Red Giants’ “weapon” to control pressure by JDT, but the squad’s seemed to have been badly affected after the 25-year-old left.
“Yes, (Agyarkwa’s absence) had an effect. We want to make Alex a weapon to get us out of the first pressure given by the opposing team, but he could not finish the match,” he told reporters at the press conference after the match yesterday.
Selangor ended the first half of the match 1-2, and Nidzam removed Agyarkwa in the second half before JDT added to the injury by burying the Red Giants with four more goals.
The 44-year-old coach said he will take responsibility for the disappointing defeat.
Nidzam said he will ensure Selangor continue to qualify for the finals of any future tournament to ensure his team is in top position in the Malaysian League.
“Against a mature team (JDT) that has played in the finals every year for 10 years, we can’t make any small mistakes, and we can’t go to the finals with the mind of just wanting to try, because the moment we make a little mistake, they will pounce on us, but we could have done better in the final,” he said.
Yesterday, the Red Giants lost to the Southern Tigers 1-6 with a hat-trick by Juan Muniz, and a goal each from Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, Bergson Da Silva and Heberty Fernandes, while Selangor’s lone goal was scored by Alvin Fortes.
This is JDT’s second success this season after they were crowned Charity Shield champions in May.
The defeat saw Selangor’s championship drought continue, having last enjoyed success by winning the Malaysia Cup in 2015.
The last time Selangor won the FA Cup was in 2009 after beating Kelantan 4-1 on penalties.
— Bernama
