Kim believes The Red Giant’s recent performances have boosted the squad’s confidence ahead of the clash.
SELANGOR FC head coach Kim Pan Gon backs his confident squad to overcome Kuching City and secure a place in the FA Cup final.
Selangor FC are in high spirits ahead of their bid to reach the FA Cup final, with head coach Kim Pan Gon confident his players can carry their momentum into the crucial semifinal clash against Kuching City FC.
Kim said the Red Giants had shifted their focus to tactical preparations after prioritising recovery following their previous match, with the coaching staff assessing the fitness of injured players before deciding on the starting line-up.
“We are calculating who will start the upcoming match and deciding on the tactics we will use,” he said.
Kim also believes Selangor’s recent performances have boosted the squad’s confidence, particularly after securing a 3-1 win over Penang FC in their 2,000th competitive game, which he described as a fitting gift for the club’s supporters.
He said the players understood the importance of the upcoming encounter as they approach the decisive stage of the competition, adding that the positive atmosphere within the squad would be crucial to their ambitions.
However, Kim acknowledged the challenge posed by Kuching City, describing the opposition as a team with one of the strongest squads in the Malaysian League, particularly in the attacking department.
Recognising the individual quality within Kuching City’s ranks, Kim said Selangor would need to rely on their collective strength rather than individual brilliance to overcome their opponents.
“We acknowledge that their players are very strong individually, so we are trying to find ways to solve the problems they can pose and identify how we can attack them.
“Our approach is to play as a team, not rely on individuals. If we play collectively, we are confident,” he said.
Kim also called on Selangor supporters to fill the stadium and create an electric atmosphere for the first leg, urging the Red Giants faithful to play their part as the team pursues a place in the final.
He said the team wanted to deliver a strong performance and secure the best possible result, while showcasing the unity between the players, supporters and the wider Selangor family.
“We want to make it a festival and give you a good performance. We will do our best to get the best result.
“Please come and enjoy the game and give us your support. Then we can show how united Selangor are as a team, as fans and as a family.”
Selangor FC is set to take on Kuching City in the FA Cup semi-final first leg tie at the Petaling Jaya Stadium today (Friday 23 Oct).