MATCH AGAINST JDT A MEASURE OF NSFC’S MATURITY - COACH

SEREMBAN, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- Facing champions such as Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) is not merely a test of physical strength, but also demands mental resilience and a high level of consistency, said Negeri Sembilan FC (NSFC) head coach Mohd Nidzam Jamil.

He said following the narrow 0-1 defeat to JDT in the Super League match at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman Paroi last night, his team gained an important experience that must be used to improve their ability to maintain focus, intensity and control of the game until the final minute.

“Top-level players require strong concentration from minute to minute. At this point, that is the difference between us and JDT. They have gone through a very good development process and are able to maintain the same intensity right until the end of the match,” he said.

“In football, if you do not go through those phases, you will be punished. It is a bitter truth to swallow, but the team needs to learn to become ‘big boys’ in this league,” he told reporters after the match.

Commenting on the players’ level of commitment, Nidzam said his team gave their all and fought until the end of the match.

Meanwhile, Nidzam declined to comment further on the issue of the referee, S. Logeswaran, delaying the final whistle beyond the stipulated seven minutes of added time.

In the match, JDT scored the winning goal in the 98th minute through Manuel Hidalgo.

“I don’t hold the whistle... I’m not sure, maybe the timing was different, everyone’s watch is different, but we need to stay positive.

“It’s not about nine minutes or 10 minutes. The issue is that we must stay focused. We can’t control the referee, we can’t control the environment. The most important thing is how we play, how we control the opponents’ movement and maintain focus throughout the match -- that’s the issue.

Commenting on tensions among supporters, Nidzam advised that football should not be turned into a platform for hostility, but instead be celebrated as a sport that unites people.

He also reminded that many supporters attend matches with their children, who observe and judge, and if football is filled with quarrels, it would give a negative image of the sport.

-- BERNAMA