KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor coach Kim Pan Gon has warned his players against sitting back to protect their slender lead when they face Kuching City in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final second leg.
The Red Giants take a 2-1 aggregate advantage into the match at the State Stadium, but Pan Gon knows that a cautious approach could prove costly against an opponent backed by a passionate home crowd.
Instead, the South Korean wants his players to stay aggressive, take the game to Kuching and finish the job to secure a place in the final.
“We have a clear target. Even from pre-season, we made reaching this final our goal,” Pan Gon said.
“Everybody knows how important this is for us, and how important it is for the fans. We will fight for this. We need to be brave, confident, and proud.
“We shouldn’t step back. We must stand firmly and keep moving forward, hit them, score, and win to give the best result to the fans.”
Selangor are aiming to end their wait for silverware, but face a difficult test against Aidil Sharin Sahak’s Kuching, who will be looking to overturn the one-goal deficit on home ground and reach the final for the first time.
Pan Gon also called on the Red Giants faithful, including those making the trip to Sarawak, to get behind the team as they chase their pre-season target.
“To the fans, we need your support. Not only by showing up for us, but supporting us with heart when you watch our game,” he said.
“We need your full support. We will be thinking about you, we play with you, and we fight with you.”