| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean said their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal proved their downfall in the 3-1 S League defeat to Home United FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Friday.
“I’m not looking forward to looking at these statistics because I can count in my own mind that we had seven to eight shots on target but managed only one goal,” said Kean in a post-match interview.
Kean also underlined the need to eradicate their defensive frailties.
“I think they had five shots on target and ended up getting three goals. Statistically, we have to do better, we have to be more ruthless in their box and we have to defend in our box.
“Utimately, that’s what football is all about. It’s about the two 18-yard boxes.
“When we had our chances, we didn’t really put right them away.
“When they had theirs, we didn’t defend properly.”
The head coach credited the players for an improved showing in the second half after making the in-form goalkeeper Hassan Sunny and the Home United backline under constant pressure.
“Credit to the players we had a good go in the second half and I think there was a dramatic improvement when we changed the system and really chased the game.
“But when the third goal was in, we had ourselves a lot to do,” he added.
The head coach also lamented their passing, which lacked conviction, saying it was a “stark contrast to their ability to keep the ball well”.
“Sometimes, even when we were not under pressure, we were turning around and losing the ball to the opposition.
“I don’t know if it was because of the first-game nerves or the pressure of chasing a game.”
Kean also highlighted the need to finish off the opposition when momentum was in their favour.
“It is disappointing but we need to pick ourselves up because the next game comes very quickly.
“We have to get back up on the training ground and sets things right.”
DPMM FC defender Francois Marque, who is nursinga muscle injury, is doubtful for the next fixture against Albirex Niigata (S) but Kean was hopeful that the long break would help him in his recovery.
The head coach pointed out how Maududi Hilmi Kasmi and Azwan Salleh proved to be the main outlets in providing service to the four forwards.
“Before half time we didn’t look like we were going to score, so we had to then go with four strikers.
“We had to play attackers Dudi and Param out of position in the fullback roles.
“We were just really trying to get the ball to the front four as often as possible and get ourselves back in the game.
“We put the goalkeeper under a lot of pressure so I give credit to the players.
“The second half was excellent but we left it too late.
“It’s dissapointing because we’ve had a great pre-season. This really knocks us back but we just have to get on with it,” he said.
Kean also explained behind his decision to keep winger Maududi Hilmi Kasmi for the full match despite losing his marker in Home United’s third goal.
“Dudi has been exceptional last season. In any position he is asked to play he’s fantastic, which is why I wanted to keep him on the pitch
“He might have lost his marker but there’s plenty of times he’s created goals at the other end of the pitch”
“It was a bad night for us but we’ll get better,” the former Blackburn Rovers manager added.
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