Perak FC To Focus On Malaysia Cup After 0-5 Whipping By JDT

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Perak FC head coach Yusri Che Lah accepted the massive 0-5 defeat to defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium (SSI), here, last night.

He said the focus of his squad after this is the Malaysia Cup competition which is expected to start this month.

"I really hope the Malaysia Cup draw in two weeks will be more in our favour to move forward in this competition.

"I hope that our route is smoother and we do not fear meeting them (JDT) again at SSI. The Malaysia Cup is a prestigious cup and it is certain that every team wants something better in this year's fight," he said at a press conference after the match here last night.

According to him, every team has the opportunity to display the best action of the Malaysia Cup and JDT as a challenger must be at the top of the league.

For me, this is an opportunity for any team to be in the final, including Perak FC. Although it is difficult, we will try our best to put the team in the best position," he said.

Commenting on the action against JDT last night, he said his men managed to stop the Southern Tigers from scoring more goals in the second half after conceding four goals in the first half.

At the same time Yusri respected the decision of referee Razlan Joffri Ali who showed yellow cards to his player Tommy Mawat and JDT striker, Arif Aiman ​​Mohd Hanapi, after both were involved in a brawl in the 84th minute.

Meanwhile, JDT head coach Hector Bidoglio expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance and the players displayed the kind of consistency and confidence he wanted.

"The players remained committed to their roles, and their persistence paid off as we broke their defence.

"In my opinion, I am satisfied with the performances displayed by each player and we need to continue working and focus on the next game in Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE)," he said.

JDT is scheduled to meet Chinese club Shandong Taishan FC at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center, Jinan, China on Nov 26 for the fifth ACLE Group A match.

-- BERNAMA