Nidzam wants Victory To Become A Habit For Selangor

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Selangor FC head coach Nidzam Jamil is satisfied with his team’s performance and position in all competitions thus far as they enter the FIFA international match window from Oct 7 to 15.

Nidzam said that the Red Giants have shown impressive form, remaining unbeaten in their last three matches, including a 1-0 victory over Dynamic Herb Cebu from the Philippines in Group H of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League 2 (ACL2) 2024/25 last Thursday.

“In our last three matches in ACL2, we are still unbeaten; we conceded one and scored two goals (including a 1-1 draw against Thai club Muangthong United in the group opening match).

“For the league (Super League), we haven’t conceded in our last two matches, scoring against Kuching City and Terengganu. So we haven’t conceded in our last three matches (across all competitions), which I think is quite good,” he said when met recently.

Selangor are currently in second place in the Super League with 25 points, six points behind leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), and also sit in second place in Group H of ACL2 after collecting four points.

Despite this positive momentum, the 44-year-old coach reminded his team that they must always strive to improve and aim to play as the supporters expect and make winning a habit.

“This is football; of course, we want progress, to improve and play (like) to supporters expectations, but we cannot compare our team with others.

“We need to stamp our mark properly; we have to make winning a habit, and when we win (but) some fans feel we didn't play interestingly, then that can become an issue. But at the moment, we, Selangor, have not yet reached that level, like JDT,” he said.

Nidzam, a former Selangor player who previously served as an assistant coach and interim head coach, has been entrusted with leading the team for the 2024/2025 season.

He nearly brought Selangor to end a nine-year trophy drought when they reached the FA Cup final but lost 1-6 to JDT at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, in August.

Selangor will face PDRM FC on Oct 19, followed by a group stage ACL2 match against South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Oct 23, and a clash against JDT on Oct 27 after the FIFA international match window ends.

The 33-time Malaysia Cup champions have also maintained a winning record at home in all competitions this season.

-- BERNAMA