KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor celebrated their 2,000th competitive match with a clinical 3-1 win over Penang at MBPJ Stadium on Saturday, maintaining their flawless start to the Super League season.
The victory made it five wins from five for the Red Giants, thanks to a double from Brazilian forward Chrigor Moraes and a late stoppage-time clincher from defender Ahmad Zikri Khalili, rendering Stefano Brundo's second-half strike for Penang a mere consolation.
Selangor head coach Kim Pan Gon revealed the historical significance of the night, noting the triumph carried special resonance for the club's faithful.
"Tonight was our 2,000th game in club history," Pan Gon said.
"It is very meaningful because, as far as I know, our very first game was against Penang and we won. And in our 2,000th game, we won against Penang again. It's a great gift to our fans, and I am very proud of the players."
Despite the perfect league run, Pan Gon warned against complacency, noting that his men momentarily switched off after conceding from a corner in the 69th minute.
"When we conceded, we became very passive. The opponent didn't have many numbers forward, but we had a lot of players in the box and still let it happen. I told them we cannot be passive; we must be aggressive and close out the game," he said.
The South Korean coach also addressed the ongoing absence of winger Faisal Halim, who remains sidelined with a long-term injury.
"In some parts, we are managing without 'Mickey,' and that is positive. But to me, I am still very upset that we have to play without him. It's a big injury. We encourage him to recover quickly because he is our leader and so important to this unit," he said.
With momentum on their side, Pan Gon's focus swiftly turns to the FA Cup, where they face Kuching City in the semi-finals on Friday.
"We want to go to the final. We have the passion and the desire, and we must stay humble and prepare well," he said.
For Penang head coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail, the defeat was a harsh lesson in game management and tactical discipline against elite opposition.
"Our failure stemmed from the first half where our midfield simply failed to match Selangor," Wan Rohaimi said.
"That left us under intense pressure for 45 minutes and gave Selangor the freedom to make penetrating passes.
"In the second half, our substitutions brought balance, and we scored from a corner. But then we became too eager and overzealous in hunting for the equaliser. We left space behind, and we were punished with that late penalty."
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