On target: Selangor’s Ali Olwan (left) weaves past a Kuching City player to score in the 67th minute during their Super League match at the Petaling Jaya Stadium. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Selangor have found their swagger at the right time before the AFC Champions League Two.
The Red Giants changed their tactics and they proved too strong for Borneo club Kuching City when they thrashed them 4-0 in the Super League at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on Friday.
The goals were scored by striker Ronnie Fernandez of Chile (11th minute), Ali Olwan of Jordan (67th), Umarbek Eshmurodov of Uzbekistan (74th) and Cape Verdean’s Alvin Fortes (80th).
It is the perfect tonic before they start their AFC Group H stage campaign, where they will take on Thai club Muangthong United at the Thunderdome Stadium in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Thursday.
Selangor coach Nidzam Jamil reverted his usual 4-3-3 formation to 3-4-3 and it gave a better focus on their defensive stability and wing plays.
He made the change after they were thrashed 1-6 by Johor Darul Ta’zim in the FA Cup final last month, and many felt the team lacked defensive shape with the previous formation.
It worked out well as the three-man defence led by Eshmurodov pulled off a defensive masterclass and wingers – Olwan and Fortes – impressed with their trickery and movements.
“When we last played Kuching City, it was a dramatic two-legged quarter-final, where we beat them 5-3 in a penalty shootout after the aggregate was tied 4-4. This time, it was different,” said Nidzam.
“The intensity from the boys was good and we played differently in terms of tactics and shape. I’m happy with the result especially when we are going to play in the AFC Champions League Two soon.
“The win would surely boost our confidence but we also know that some aspects need to be rectified if we want to compete better in the Asian stage. It will be a challenge and we are looking forward to it.”
Nidzam said Olwan, making his Super League debut, only had 48 hours of recovery after an intense international week.
“Ali played two games against Kuwait and Palestine and played a full 90 minutes. We were concerned as he could have been injured because of the lack of recovery time.
“But he showed his pedigree as a top player.”
Selangor remain second in the league with 22 points from 10 matches, while Kuching are fourth with 14 points from 10 games.
